(3296,1,'2023-06-30 05:41:49','2023-06-30 05:41:49','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://i.imgur.com/gMyyICz_d.webp?maxwidth=760&amp;fidelity=grand\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance provides property coverage for buildings and structures that are under construction. If you’re a builder or a commercial property owner, you could face considerable monetary loss if something goes wrong with the construction of a building and you don’t have builder’s risk insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here’s what you need to know about builder’s risk insurance, what it covers and what it doesn’t cover.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Is Builder’s Risk Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance covers property and construction materials during a project. It’s also called “course of construction insurance.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk policies are available for new construction projects, remodeling and installation work. Projects are classified as either commercial or residential risks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Who Needs Builder’s Risk Coverage?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Types of people and businesses who can benefit from builder’s risk insurance include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Architects</li><li>Builders</li><li>Building owners</li><li>Development and investment companies</li><li>Engineers</li><li>General contractors</li><li>Lenders</li><li>Subcontractors</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Does Builder’s Risk Insurance Cover?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance protects builders against multiple types of problems, including:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Fire</li><li>Lightning</li><li>Hail</li><li>Explosions</li><li>Theft</li><li>Vandalism</li><li>Hurricanes and other “acts of God”</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A builder’s risk policy may cover:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Buildings and structures that are under construction, including temporary storage buildings, fencing and scaffolding</li><li>Equipment, such as repair of damaged equipment, as long as the equipment is covered under the policy</li><li>Materials and supplies being used</li><li>Constructions signs, trees and plants</li><li>Valuable papers such as blueprints, and electronic data</li><li>Labor</li><li>Ordinance and law costs, or the increased cost to repair or rebuild due to building codes and laws at the time of the loss</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk policies may also cover the following “soft” costs that result from construction delays:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Additional interest on loans</li><li>Lost sales income</li><li>Real estate taxes</li><li>Rental income</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Does Builder’s Risk Insurance Not Cover?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Not everything is covered under a builder’s risk insurance policy. For example, earthquakes and floods are generally not covered, but you can buy additional insurance for those problems. Here’s a short roundup of other common exclusions:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Acts of terrorism and war</li><li>Damage due to a faulty design</li><li>Employee theft</li><li>Mechanical breakdowns</li><li>Rust and corrosion</li><li>Wear and tear</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Be sure to check a policy’s exclusions before buying it. You want to be aware of what costs you’ll be paying if the worst happens.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Here’s how to find the best builder’s risk insurance policy for your situation:</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Figure out how much coverage you need</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Think about the project and where your risks are. This should include transportation, materials, the construction site and storage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Based on your risk, you can decide on the coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Decide when you need insurance to start</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You typically need coverage once the contracts are signed. Your policy will include information about when coverage begins.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Estimate how long you need coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance typically ends when the project is done. The policy should include specific conditions for when the coverage ends. That may be when the policy expires, when the building is occupied or when the building is being used for its intended use.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Understand the coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A builder’s risk policy excludes costs associated with repairs or correcting faulty work associated with a subcontractor. But a policy with an ensuing loss provision may cover damage and faulty work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Exclusionary provisions differ by policy, so make sure you understand the policy to avoid bad surprises.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Builder’s Risk Insurance vs. General Liability Insurance for Contractors</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">General liability insurance&nbsp;for contractors does not cover a contractor’s property. You’ll need a builder’s risk insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A general liability insurance policy offers coverage if you are responsible for causing injury or property damage to someone else. It also pays associated legal fees.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">As for damages, general liability insurance for contractors protects against fire and explosions that cause damage to someone else.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A general liability insurance policy for contractors will typically cover:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>A person getting injured on your property</li><li>A commercial space getting damaged</li><li>You or an employee causing injury or property damage</li><li>You getting sued for false advertising, libel or slander</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For those in the construction business, having both builder’s risk and liability insurance is a smart move.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business-insurance/builders-risk-insurance/\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Builder’s Risk Insurance: Definition, Coverage And Cost','','publish','closed','closed','','builders-risk-insurance-definition-coverage-and-cost','','','2023-07-02 01:24:53','2023-07-02 01:24:53','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3296',0,'post','',0),(3314,1,'2023-07-02 01:24:53','2023-07-02 01:24:53','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://i.imgur.com/gMyyICz_d.webp?maxwidth=760&amp;fidelity=grand\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance provides property coverage for buildings and structures that are under construction. If you’re a builder or a commercial property owner, you could face considerable monetary loss if something goes wrong with the construction of a building and you don’t have builder’s risk insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here’s what you need to know about builder’s risk insurance, what it covers and what it doesn’t cover.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Is Builder’s Risk Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance covers property and construction materials during a project. It’s also called “course of construction insurance.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk policies are available for new construction projects, remodeling and installation work. Projects are classified as either commercial or residential risks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Who Needs Builder’s Risk Coverage?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Types of people and businesses who can benefit from builder’s risk insurance include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Architects</li><li>Builders</li><li>Building owners</li><li>Development and investment companies</li><li>Engineers</li><li>General contractors</li><li>Lenders</li><li>Subcontractors</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Does Builder’s Risk Insurance Cover?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance protects builders against multiple types of problems, including:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Fire</li><li>Lightning</li><li>Hail</li><li>Explosions</li><li>Theft</li><li>Vandalism</li><li>Hurricanes and other “acts of God”</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A builder’s risk policy may cover:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Buildings and structures that are under construction, including temporary storage buildings, fencing and scaffolding</li><li>Equipment, such as repair of damaged equipment, as long as the equipment is covered under the policy</li><li>Materials and supplies being used</li><li>Constructions signs, trees and plants</li><li>Valuable papers such as blueprints, and electronic data</li><li>Labor</li><li>Ordinance and law costs, or the increased cost to repair or rebuild due to building codes and laws at the time of the loss</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk policies may also cover the following “soft” costs that result from construction delays:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Additional interest on loans</li><li>Lost sales income</li><li>Real estate taxes</li><li>Rental income</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Does Builder’s Risk Insurance Not Cover?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Not everything is covered under a builder’s risk insurance policy. For example, earthquakes and floods are generally not covered, but you can buy additional insurance for those problems. Here’s a short roundup of other common exclusions:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Acts of terrorism and war</li><li>Damage due to a faulty design</li><li>Employee theft</li><li>Mechanical breakdowns</li><li>Rust and corrosion</li><li>Wear and tear</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Be sure to check a policy’s exclusions before buying it. You want to be aware of what costs you’ll be paying if the worst happens.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Here’s how to find the best builder’s risk insurance policy for your situation:</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Figure out how much coverage you need</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Think about the project and where your risks are. This should include transportation, materials, the construction site and storage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Based on your risk, you can decide on the coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Decide when you need insurance to start</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You typically need coverage once the contracts are signed. Your policy will include information about when coverage begins.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Estimate how long you need coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance typically ends when the project is done. The policy should include specific conditions for when the coverage ends. That may be when the policy expires, when the building is occupied or when the building is being used for its intended use.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Understand the coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A builder’s risk policy excludes costs associated with repairs or correcting faulty work associated with a subcontractor. But a policy with an ensuing loss provision may cover damage and faulty work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Exclusionary provisions differ by policy, so make sure you understand the policy to avoid bad surprises.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Builder’s Risk Insurance vs. General Liability Insurance for Contractors</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">General liability insurance&nbsp;for contractors does not cover a contractor’s property. You’ll need a builder’s risk insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A general liability insurance policy offers coverage if you are responsible for causing injury or property damage to someone else. It also pays associated legal fees.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">As for damages, general liability insurance for contractors protects against fire and explosions that cause damage to someone else.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A general liability insurance policy for contractors will typically cover:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>A person getting injured on your property</li><li>A commercial space getting damaged</li><li>You or an employee causing injury or property damage</li><li>You getting sued for false advertising, libel or slander</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For those in the construction business, having both builder’s risk and liability insurance is a smart move.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business-insurance/builders-risk-insurance/\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Builder’s Risk Insurance: Definition, Coverage And Cost','','inherit','closed','closed','','3296-revision-v1','','','2023-07-02 01:24:53','2023-07-02 01:24:53','',3296,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3314',0,'revision','',0),(3297,1,'2023-06-30 05:41:49','2023-06-30 05:41:49','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://i.imgur.com/gMyyICz_d.webp?maxwidth=760&amp;fidelity=grand\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance provides property coverage for buildings and structures that are under construction. If you’re a builder or a commercial property owner, you could face considerable monetary loss if something goes wrong with the construction of a building and you don’t have builder’s risk insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here’s what you need to know about builder’s risk insurance, what it covers and what it doesn’t cover.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Is Builder’s Risk Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance covers property and construction materials during a project. It’s also called “course of construction insurance.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk policies are available for new construction projects, remodeling and installation work. Projects are classified as either commercial or residential risks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Who Needs Builder’s Risk Coverage?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Types of people and businesses who can benefit from builder’s risk insurance include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Architects</li><li>Builders</li><li>Building owners</li><li>Development and investment companies</li><li>Engineers</li><li>General contractors</li><li>Lenders</li><li>Subcontractors</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Does Builder’s Risk Insurance Cover?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance protects builders against multiple types of problems, including:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Fire</li><li>Lightning</li><li>Hail</li><li>Explosions</li><li>Theft</li><li>Vandalism</li><li>Hurricanes and other “acts of God”</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A builder’s risk policy may cover:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Buildings and structures that are under construction, including temporary storage buildings, fencing and scaffolding</li><li>Equipment, such as repair of damaged equipment, as long as the equipment is covered under the policy</li><li>Materials and supplies being used</li><li>Constructions signs, trees and plants</li><li>Valuable papers such as blueprints, and electronic data</li><li>Labor</li><li>Ordinance and law costs, or the increased cost to repair or rebuild due to building codes and laws at the time of the loss</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk policies may also cover the following “soft” costs that result from construction delays:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Additional interest on loans</li><li>Lost sales income</li><li>Real estate taxes</li><li>Rental income</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Does Builder’s Risk Insurance Not Cover?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Not everything is covered under a builder’s risk insurance policy. For example, earthquakes and floods are generally not covered, but you can buy additional insurance for those problems. Here’s a short roundup of other common exclusions:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Acts of terrorism and war</li><li>Damage due to a faulty design</li><li>Employee theft</li><li>Mechanical breakdowns</li><li>Rust and corrosion</li><li>Wear and tear</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Be sure to check a policy’s exclusions before buying it. You want to be aware of what costs you’ll be paying if the worst happens.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">The Cost of Builder’s Risk Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The median cost of builder’s risk insurance is typically&nbsp;<strong>$95 a month</strong>, according to Insureon. It is a good idea to choose coverage limits that are equal to the estimated costs of construction.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Exact coverage and policy limitations will vary among insurance providers. So be sure to shop around for both coverage and price.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How To Find the Right Builder’s Risk Insurance Policy</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Shopping for builder’s risk insurance is similar to buying other insurance: You need to decide what coverage you need and compare rates from multiple insurance companies. There are some differences to understand, too.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here’s how to find the best builder’s risk insurance policy for your situation:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Figure out how much coverage you need</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Think about the project and where your risks are. This should include transportation, materials, the construction site and storage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Based on your risk, you can decide on the coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Decide when you need insurance to start</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You typically need coverage once the contracts are signed. Your policy will include information about when coverage begins.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Estimate how long you need coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance typically ends when the project is done. The policy should include specific conditions for when the coverage ends. That may be when the policy expires, when the building is occupied or when the building is being used for its intended use.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Understand the coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A builder’s risk policy excludes costs associated with repairs or correcting faulty work associated with a subcontractor. But a policy with an ensuing loss provision may cover damage and faulty work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Exclusionary provisions differ by policy, so make sure you understand the policy to avoid bad surprises.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Builder’s Risk Insurance vs. General Liability Insurance for Contractors</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">General liability insurance for contractors does not cover a contractor’s property. You’ll need a builder’s risk insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A general liability insurance policy offers coverage if you are responsible for causing injury or property damage to someone else. It also pays associated legal fees.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">As for damages, general liability insurance for contractors protects against fire and explosions that cause damage to someone else.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A general liability insurance policy for contractors will typically cover:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>A person getting injured on your property</li><li>A commercial space getting damaged</li><li>You or an employee causing injury or property damage</li><li>You getting sued for false advertising, libel or slander</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For those in the construction business, having both builder’s risk and liability insurance is a smart move.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business-insurance/builders-risk-insurance/\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Builder’s Risk Insurance: Definition, Coverage And Cost','','inherit','closed','closed','','3296-revision-v1','','','2023-06-30 05:41:49','2023-06-30 05:41:49','',3296,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3297',0,'revision','',0);
INSERT INTO `smart_posts` VALUES (3298,1,'2023-06-30 05:51:05','2023-06-30 05:51:05','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://www.bankrate.com/2019/12/06112020/Untitled-21.jpeg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;crop=16:9\" alt=\"Residential house with hammock in garden.\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Home insurance policies are composed of several different types of coverage. One of the most important is dwelling coverage. Your policy’s dwelling insurance, which is also called Coverage A, is designed to cover the structure of your home, including your roof, the exterior and interior walls, and permanently attached structures like decks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Bankrate’s insurance editorial team, which includes licensed insurance agents, explains the details of dwelling insurance to help you make informed decisions about your coverage. Our knowledge might help you better understand your current policy or shop for a new policy with confidence.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What dwelling insurance covers</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When it comes to homeowners insurance, your policy most likely includes multiple sections of coverage. There is coverage to protect your personal belongings and coverage for the house itself, for example.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To help get a handle on the different coverage types, let’s look at an HO-3 policy, the most common type of homeowners policy. Standard HO-3 policies have six basic components:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Dwelling coverage, to repair or rebuild your house</li><li>Other structures coverage, to repair or rebuild any detached structures on your property</li><li>Personal property coverage, for your personal belongings</li><li>Liability protection, to cover legal fees and expenses if someone is injured or their belongings are damaged on your property and you are found liable</li><li>Medical payments coverage, to help cover injuries on your property for which you are not legally liable</li><li>Additional living expenses (also called “loss of use”), to cover your costs of living in a hotel, meal expenses and more while your home is being repaired after a covered loss</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">So, what is dwelling insurance? It is the first of these six components and is also referred to as “Coverage A” within the policy. In general, it will cover damage from any of these causes:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Fire and smoke</li><li>Lightning strikes</li><li>Wind damage</li><li>Hail</li><li>Explosions</li><li>Vandalism</li><li>Theft</li><li>Damage caused by the weight of snow, sleet or ice</li><li>Falling objects</li><li>Damage from an aircraft or auto</li><li>Volcanic eruption</li><li>Water damage caused by appliance overflow or heating/air conditioning malfunction</li><li>Frozen plumbing/heat ducts/sprinkler system/appliance</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It is important to note that different types of home insurance cover different causes of loss, called insurance perils. Reviewing your policy and talking with a company representative is the best way to know what coverage you have. .</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you experience any of these covered losses, your dwelling coverage becomes essential. Dwelling insurance covers damage to your home, including the foundation, frame, walls and roof. It also generally covers things built into your house, like cabinets, permanent air conditioner units, furnaces and water heaters if they are damaged or destroyed by a covered loss like a fire. Dwelling coverage also typically covers structures attached to the house, such as an attached garage or porch.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What dwelling insurance does not cover</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Not all incidents that can damage your home are covered by homeowners insurance dwelling coverage. This includes:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Flooding</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Flood damage is not included in most standard homeowners insurance policies. With changing weather patterns generating more severe storms, areas of our country that have never flooded in the past are more likely to do so now. You may want to consider flood insurance coverage to help cover flood losses should they occur. Flood insurance is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and through select private carriers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Earthquakes</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Many areas of the U.S. experience earthquakes, especially along the West Coast.  If you live in one of these areas or another part of the country where earth  movement is common, you may want to consider adding earthquake coverage to your policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Damage from earthquakes can quickly add up. A quake can seriously damage your foundation, and even a minor tremor may cause cracks in walls and extensive property damage. Your HO-3 policy will cover fire damage caused by an earthquake, but structural damage is not covered.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you live in an area where there is significant oil drilling, such as parts of Oklahoma, seismic activity may also be common and make the need for earthquake insurance more urgent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Maintenance damage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A home is a complex structure with different systems — plumbing, heating, electrical — all working together to keep you comfortable and safe. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep these systems running properly. You need to be vigilant to problems, which could be anything from signs of termite infestation to a wet basement. If you fail to do so and your lack of regular maintenance results in property damage, your dwelling insurance may not cover it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Sewer backup/Sump pump damage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Sewer backup/sump pump damage coverage, although very important, is typically not automatically covered by a standard home insurance policy. However, this does not lessen the value of this coverage. Sewer and drain line backup coverage, sometimes called water backup coverage, or sump pump damage coverage, is a common endorsement to add to homeowners insurance that provides coverage for your dwelling and personal property if they are damaged by a drain line backup. Backup losses commonly happen during heavy rains when a sump pump cannot keep up with the influx of water and overflows, spilling water into a basement or crawlspace. However, it is possible for sewer lines to back up anywhere in a home, including toilets, sinks and floor drains. A water backup endorsement must be added to a homeowners insurance policy to provide coverage for this type of loss.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Service line damage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Damage to your service line is another common policy exclusion for a standard homeowners insurance policy. Service line damage coverage protects you against losses relating to the various service lines running into your home. Each property insurer covers different service lines, but commonly covered ones include water, gas and sewer lines, as well as internet cables and electrical wires. This is a relatively new coverage in the insurance industry and your particular carrier may not yet offer it. Talk to your insurance professional about the service line coverage options available to you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How much dwelling coverage do I need?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Determining how much home insurance you need may seem daunting, but there are some simple steps you can take to determine a ballpark figure.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Know the difference between market value and replacement value:</strong> How much you paid for your home isn’t necessarily how much you’ll insure it for. Home prices can be artificially high or low depending on factors like the home’s location or the state of the housing market. What you really want to know is your home’s replacement cost, which is how much it will cost to rebuild your home after a total loss.</li><li><strong>Factor in your home’s size:</strong> Bigger homes will likely need more coverage, since they typically cost more to rebuild than smaller homes. Similarly, homes on a finished basement likely need more dwelling coverage to account for the extra space.</li><li><strong>Consider your home’s features:</strong> Every home has its own set of features. Builder-grade homes, for example, will likely need less dwelling coverage than comparably-sized upgraded or custom homes with high-end finishes.</li><li><strong>Think about your home’s age:</strong> Older homes may be more expensive to repair or rebuild due to non-standard lumber sizes or outdated building techniques.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Although having an idea of how much dwelling coverage you need can be helpful while you are gathering quotes, don’t let figuring out that number stress you each. Each insurance company has its own replacement cost estimator that will help you determine your proper coverage amount. Keep in mind that more dwelling coverage will usually result in a higher home insurance cost.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Types of dwelling coverage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When it comes to dwelling insurance, there are multiple different policy types. Some apply to homes, while others apply to condos and other property types.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Homeowners insurance dwelling coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Virtually all property insurance policies include dwelling coverage, including HO-1, HO-2, HO-3, HO-5 and HO-8 policies. That means that if you are buying home insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Condo insurance dwelling coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">HO-6 policies protect condominium owners. Here, dwelling coverage is a little complicated. Your HO-6 policy generally covers the interior of your property, your personal property and your liability needs. Your association’s master policy should cover the bulk of the structure itself. However, each condo association has its own unique master policy, which will influence how much dwelling coverage you need to purchase on your condo policy. Your association may cover nearly the entire structure of your condo, for example, which means you’d be able to purchase less dwelling insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Rental property insurance dwelling coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you own a rental property, it’s important to consider rental property insurance and understand how it works. Also known as a DP-3 policy type, this insurance policy includes dwelling coverage to cover the structure of your rental property in the event of a covered loss but also includes several coverage options not found in a standard HO-3.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Because landlords face different risks compared to homeowners, rental property insurance takes this into account with coverage options like wrongful eviction and loss of use. Additionally, because many cities and states have their own rental laws, it can be worthwhile to speak to a local insurance agent to learn more about rental properties in your area and what additional coverage choices they recommend.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/dwelling-insurance/\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What is dwelling insurance?','','publish','closed','closed','','what-is-dwelling-insurance','','','2023-06-30 05:51:05','2023-06-30 05:51:05','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3298',0,'post','',0),(3299,1,'2023-06-30 05:51:05','2023-06-30 05:51:05','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://www.bankrate.com/2019/12/06112020/Untitled-21.jpeg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;crop=16:9\" alt=\"Residential house with hammock in garden.\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Home insurance policies are composed of several different types of coverage. One of the most important is dwelling coverage. Your policy’s dwelling insurance, which is also called Coverage A, is designed to cover the structure of your home, including your roof, the exterior and interior walls, and permanently attached structures like decks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Bankrate’s insurance editorial team, which includes licensed insurance agents, explains the details of dwelling insurance to help you make informed decisions about your coverage. Our knowledge might help you better understand your current policy or shop for a new policy with confidence.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What dwelling insurance covers</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When it comes to homeowners insurance, your policy most likely includes multiple sections of coverage. There is coverage to protect your personal belongings and coverage for the house itself, for example.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To help get a handle on the different coverage types, let’s look at an HO-3 policy, the most common type of homeowners policy. Standard HO-3 policies have six basic components:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Dwelling coverage, to repair or rebuild your house</li><li>Other structures coverage, to repair or rebuild any detached structures on your property</li><li>Personal property coverage, for your personal belongings</li><li>Liability protection, to cover legal fees and expenses if someone is injured or their belongings are damaged on your property and you are found liable</li><li>Medical payments coverage, to help cover injuries on your property for which you are not legally liable</li><li>Additional living expenses (also called “loss of use”), to cover your costs of living in a hotel, meal expenses and more while your home is being repaired after a covered loss</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">So, what is dwelling insurance? It is the first of these six components and is also referred to as “Coverage A” within the policy. In general, it will cover damage from any of these causes:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Fire and smoke</li><li>Lightning strikes</li><li>Wind damage</li><li>Hail</li><li>Explosions</li><li>Vandalism</li><li>Theft</li><li>Damage caused by the weight of snow, sleet or ice</li><li>Falling objects</li><li>Damage from an aircraft or auto</li><li>Volcanic eruption</li><li>Water damage caused by appliance overflow or heating/air conditioning malfunction</li><li>Frozen plumbing/heat ducts/sprinkler system/appliance</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It is important to note that different types of home insurance cover different causes of loss, called insurance perils. Reviewing your policy and talking with a company representative is the best way to know what coverage you have. .</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you experience any of these covered losses, your dwelling coverage becomes essential. Dwelling insurance covers damage to your home, including the foundation, frame, walls and roof. It also generally covers things built into your house, like cabinets, permanent air conditioner units, furnaces and water heaters if they are damaged or destroyed by a covered loss like a fire. Dwelling coverage also typically covers structures attached to the house, such as an attached garage or porch.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What dwelling insurance does not cover</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Not all incidents that can damage your home are covered by homeowners insurance dwelling coverage. This includes:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Flooding</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Flood damage is not included in most standard homeowners insurance policies. With changing weather patterns generating more severe storms, areas of our country that have never flooded in the past are more likely to do so now. You may want to consider flood insurance coverage to help cover flood losses should they occur. Flood insurance is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and through select private carriers.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Earthquakes</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Many areas of the U.S. experience earthquakes, especially along the West Coast.  If you live in one of these areas or another part of the country where earth  movement is common, you may want to consider adding earthquake coverage to your policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Damage from earthquakes can quickly add up. A quake can seriously damage your foundation, and even a minor tremor may cause cracks in walls and extensive property damage. Your HO-3 policy will cover fire damage caused by an earthquake, but structural damage is not covered.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you live in an area where there is significant oil drilling, such as parts of Oklahoma, seismic activity may also be common and make the need for earthquake insurance more urgent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Maintenance damage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A home is a complex structure with different systems — plumbing, heating, electrical — all working together to keep you comfortable and safe. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep these systems running properly. You need to be vigilant to problems, which could be anything from signs of termite infestation to a wet basement. If you fail to do so and your lack of regular maintenance results in property damage, your dwelling insurance may not cover it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Sewer backup/Sump pump damage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Sewer backup/sump pump damage coverage, although very important, is typically not automatically covered by a standard home insurance policy. However, this does not lessen the value of this coverage. Sewer and drain line backup coverage, sometimes called water backup coverage, or sump pump damage coverage, is a common endorsement to add to homeowners insurance that provides coverage for your dwelling and personal property if they are damaged by a drain line backup. Backup losses commonly happen during heavy rains when a sump pump cannot keep up with the influx of water and overflows, spilling water into a basement or crawlspace. However, it is possible for sewer lines to back up anywhere in a home, including toilets, sinks and floor drains. A water backup endorsement must be added to a homeowners insurance policy to provide coverage for this type of loss.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Service line damage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Damage to your service line is another common policy exclusion for a standard homeowners insurance policy. Service line damage coverage protects you against losses relating to the various service lines running into your home. Each property insurer covers different service lines, but commonly covered ones include water, gas and sewer lines, as well as internet cables and electrical wires. This is a relatively new coverage in the insurance industry and your particular carrier may not yet offer it. Talk to your insurance professional about the service line coverage options available to you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How much dwelling coverage do I need?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Determining how much home insurance you need may seem daunting, but there are some simple steps you can take to determine a ballpark figure.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Know the difference between market value and replacement value:</strong> How much you paid for your home isn’t necessarily how much you’ll insure it for. Home prices can be artificially high or low depending on factors like the home’s location or the state of the housing market. What you really want to know is your home’s replacement cost, which is how much it will cost to rebuild your home after a total loss.</li><li><strong>Factor in your home’s size:</strong> Bigger homes will likely need more coverage, since they typically cost more to rebuild than smaller homes. Similarly, homes on a finished basement likely need more dwelling coverage to account for the extra space.</li><li><strong>Consider your home’s features:</strong> Every home has its own set of features. Builder-grade homes, for example, will likely need less dwelling coverage than comparably-sized upgraded or custom homes with high-end finishes.</li><li><strong>Think about your home’s age:</strong> Older homes may be more expensive to repair or rebuild due to non-standard lumber sizes or outdated building techniques.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Although having an idea of how much dwelling coverage you need can be helpful while you are gathering quotes, don’t let figuring out that number stress you each. Each insurance company has its own replacement cost estimator that will help you determine your proper coverage amount. Keep in mind that more dwelling coverage will usually result in a higher home insurance cost.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Types of dwelling coverage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When it comes to dwelling insurance, there are multiple different policy types. Some apply to homes, while others apply to condos and other property types.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Homeowners insurance dwelling coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Virtually all property insurance policies include dwelling coverage, including HO-1, HO-2, HO-3, HO-5 and HO-8 policies. That means that if you are buying home insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color\">Condo insurance dwelling coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">HO-6 policies protect condominium owners. Here, dwelling coverage is a little complicated. Your HO-6 policy generally covers the interior of your property, your personal property and your liability needs. Your association’s master policy should cover the bulk of the structure itself. However, each condo association has its own unique master policy, which will influence how much dwelling coverage you need to purchase on your condo policy. Your association may cover nearly the entire structure of your condo, for example, which means you’d be able to purchase less dwelling insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Rental property insurance dwelling coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you own a rental property, it’s important to consider rental property insurance and understand how it works. Also known as a DP-3 policy type, this insurance policy includes dwelling coverage to cover the structure of your rental property in the event of a covered loss but also includes several coverage options not found in a standard HO-3.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Because landlords face different risks compared to homeowners, rental property insurance takes this into account with coverage options like wrongful eviction and loss of use. Additionally, because many cities and states have their own rental laws, it can be worthwhile to speak to a local insurance agent to learn more about rental properties in your area and what additional coverage choices they recommend.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/dwelling-insurance/\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What is dwelling insurance?','','inherit','closed','closed','','3298-revision-v1','','','2023-06-30 05:51:05','2023-06-30 05:51:05','',3298,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3299',0,'revision','',0),(3300,1,'2023-06-30 05:55:14','2023-06-30 05:55:14','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://www.bankrate.com/2020/07/22134417/property-and-casualty-insurance-featured.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;crop=16:9\" alt=\"A father and his son, dressed up like dragons, do a learning exercise in the living room.\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Property and casualty insurance is a term describing two forms of broad coverage that financially protect you if the property you own is damaged, lost or stolen (representing the “property” portion of the phrase) or if you cause injury to another person or damage to their property (the “casualty” portion). There are several types of property and casualty insurance, with policies available for individual or business needs. Understanding what this insurance covers and how to secure a policy can help you protect yourself and your assets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What is property and casualty insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Property and casualty insurance, also known as P&amp;C insurance, isn’t a single type of insurance. It’s an umbrella term that describes many types of insurance policies, including auto, homeowners, renters and condo insurance. As the name suggests, P&amp;C insurance contains two parts — property coverage and casualty coverage:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Property coverage</strong> covers things like your house, car, clothing, furniture, electronics and valuables. If your personal property is damaged or destroyed by a covered peril, your personal property coverage can help pay to repair or replace them.</li><li><strong>Casualty insurance</strong> covers your liability. For instance, if a delivery driver slips and falls on your icy driveway, the liability portion of your home insurance may pay for your legal fees if the driver takes you to court. If you cause a car accident, your car insurance liability coverage helps you pay for the other driver’s expenses.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Although property coverage and casualty coverage are technically different types of insurance, they aren’t sold separately because most common insurance policies bundle them together. Even the most basic homeowners, auto and renters insurance policies include both property and casualty coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Types of P&amp;C insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are many types of insurance that fall under the P&amp;C insurance umbrella. All of these policies include personal property and liability coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Auto insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Car insurance covers the damage to your vehicle after an accident. If your car is stolen, your insurance will help you pay for a replacement. It also covers your liabilities as a driver. If you hit another car, your liability insurance will help pay for the other driver’s damage, including vehicle repairs and medical expenses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-extra-large-font-size\">Home insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Home insurance covers the personal items inside your home — like clothing and furniture, as well as the home’s structure itself — from common perils. For example, if your entire wardrobe was destroyed in a fire, your personal property coverage would help cover the cost of new clothes. Home insurance also covers liabilities. If a guest was injured on your property and you were found responsible, your legal fees would be covered up to the policy limits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Condo insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Condo insurance is similar to home insurance in that it covers your personal items, as well as liability to others. Condo insurance also covers damage to your condo unit. However, dwelling coverage is where homeowners and condo policies differ. The condo association purchases a master policy that covers the building exterior, while your personal condo policy provides coverage for the interior walls and any improvements made that are not covered by the master policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Renters insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Like home insurance, renters insurance also covers your personal property and liabilities. If an electrical fire burns some of your furniture, your insurance policy will help you replace the damaged items with new ones. The same goes for liability. If you accidentally damage someone’s property and they decide to sue you, the casualty portion of your renters insurance will help pay for the cost. Unlike condo or home insurance, renters insurance policies do not cover damage to the exterior or interior of the dwelling.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Landlord insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Landlord insurance covers the building itself. If you are a landlord and a windstorm damages the roof of an apartment building you own, your landlord policy may help finance the repairs. It can also cover your liabilities if a tenant accidentally gets injured on the property.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Business insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Business owners purchase property and casualty insurance for the same reason individuals do. A business insurance policy provides financial protection for damage and losses to the business property and assets. Casualty coverage is typically broader and protects against claims made by third parties — usually clients or customers who get injured on the premises. It also helps cover damage you or your employees cause to clients’ property while performing work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Additionally, such policies may include unique protections such as business interruption coverage. This can help pay for business expenses and provide lost income replacement if the business temporarily closes because of a covered loss, like a fire.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Power sports insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you have a boat, ATV, golf cart or snowmobile, this type of policy can be beneficial. Power sports insurance policies cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle from damage and provide financial liability coverage for the operator. For instance, if you accidentally rode your snowmobile through someone’s backyard fence, the casualty portion of your power sports insurance would pay for the repairs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Umbrella insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Umbrella insurance is a broad form of liability coverage that extends your limits of casualty coverage and is applicable to both personal and business coverage. Umbrella coverage can be an important part of any insurance plan, particularly in modern society with increasingly unpredictable lawsuits with large damage claims. Normal limits don’t always come close to addressing this risk, but for an additional cost, you can raise limits on all phases of your liability coverage with an umbrella policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How does P&amp;C insurance work?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">P&amp;C insurance works like any other type of insurance. If your personal property is damaged or destroyed by a covered peril, you can file a claim with your insurance company to get reimbursed for the losses. The same goes for liability claims, where someone is suing you for damage and seeking compensation for their losses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In either scenario, you are only covered up to your policy’s property limit and casualty limit. For example, if your house burns down and you lose everything you own, you will only be compensated for the losses up to your policy’s personal property coverage limit. Valuables and electronics are usually subject to specific coverage limits, which tend to be low.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When you purchase any type of P&amp;C insurance, make sure your coverage limits are appropriate for your situation. For instance, if you have $200,000 worth of belongings in your home, your coverage limit should match that. If your coverage limit is too low, you risk paying money out-of-pocket toward a loss.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/property-and-casualty/\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What is property and casualty insurance?','','publish','closed','closed','','what-is-property-and-casualty-insurance','','','2023-06-30 05:55:14','2023-06-30 05:55:14','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3300',0,'post','',0),(3301,1,'2023-06-30 05:55:14','2023-06-30 05:55:14','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://www.bankrate.com/2020/07/22134417/property-and-casualty-insurance-featured.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;crop=16:9\" alt=\"A father and his son, dressed up like dragons, do a learning exercise in the living room.\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Property and casualty insurance is a term describing two forms of broad coverage that financially protect you if the property you own is damaged, lost or stolen (representing the “property” portion of the phrase) or if you cause injury to another person or damage to their property (the “casualty” portion). There are several types of property and casualty insurance, with policies available for individual or business needs. Understanding what this insurance covers and how to secure a policy can help you protect yourself and your assets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What is property and casualty insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Property and casualty insurance, also known as P&amp;C insurance, isn’t a single type of insurance. It’s an umbrella term that describes many types of insurance policies, including auto, homeowners, renters and condo insurance. As the name suggests, P&amp;C insurance contains two parts — property coverage and casualty coverage:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Property coverage</strong> covers things like your house, car, clothing, furniture, electronics and valuables. If your personal property is damaged or destroyed by a covered peril, your personal property coverage can help pay to repair or replace them.</li><li><strong>Casualty insurance</strong> covers your liability. For instance, if a delivery driver slips and falls on your icy driveway, the liability portion of your home insurance may pay for your legal fees if the driver takes you to court. If you cause a car accident, your car insurance liability coverage helps you pay for the other driver’s expenses.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Although property coverage and casualty coverage are technically different types of insurance, they aren’t sold separately because most common insurance policies bundle them together. Even the most basic homeowners, auto and renters insurance policies include both property and casualty coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Types of P&amp;C insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are many types of insurance that fall under the P&amp;C insurance umbrella. All of these policies include personal property and liability coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Auto insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Car insurance covers the damage to your vehicle after an accident. If your car is stolen, your insurance will help you pay for a replacement. It also covers your liabilities as a driver. If you hit another car, your liability insurance will help pay for the other driver’s damage, including vehicle repairs and medical expenses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-extra-large-font-size\">Home insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Home insurance covers the personal items inside your home — like clothing and furniture, as well as the home’s structure itself — from common perils. For example, if your entire wardrobe was destroyed in a fire, your personal property coverage would help cover the cost of new clothes. Home insurance also covers liabilities. If a guest was injured on your property and you were found responsible, your legal fees would be covered up to the policy limits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Condo insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Condo insurance is similar to home insurance in that it covers your personal items, as well as liability to others. Condo insurance also covers damage to your condo unit. However, dwelling coverage is where homeowners and condo policies differ. The condo association purchases a master policy that covers the building exterior, while your personal condo policy provides coverage for the interior walls and any improvements made that are not covered by the master policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Renters insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Like home insurance, renters insurance also covers your personal property and liabilities. If an electrical fire burns some of your furniture, your insurance policy will help you replace the damaged items with new ones. The same goes for liability. If you accidentally damage someone’s property and they decide to sue you, the casualty portion of your renters insurance will help pay for the cost. Unlike condo or home insurance, renters insurance policies do not cover damage to the exterior or interior of the dwelling.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Landlord insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Landlord insurance covers the building itself. If you are a landlord and a windstorm damages the roof of an apartment building you own, your landlord policy may help finance the repairs. It can also cover your liabilities if a tenant accidentally gets injured on the property.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Business insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Business owners purchase property and casualty insurance for the same reason individuals do. A business insurance policy provides financial protection for damage and losses to the business property and assets. Casualty coverage is typically broader and protects against claims made by third parties — usually clients or customers who get injured on the premises. It also helps cover damage you or your employees cause to clients’ property while performing work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Additionally, such policies may include unique protections such as business interruption coverage. This can help pay for business expenses and provide lost income replacement if the business temporarily closes because of a covered loss, like a fire.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Power sports insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you have a boat, ATV, golf cart or snowmobile, this type of policy can be beneficial. Power sports insurance policies cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle from damage and provide financial liability coverage for the operator. For instance, if you accidentally rode your snowmobile through someone’s backyard fence, the casualty portion of your power sports insurance would pay for the repairs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Umbrella insurance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Umbrella insurance is a broad form of liability coverage that extends your limits of casualty coverage and is applicable to both personal and business coverage. Umbrella coverage can be an important part of any insurance plan, particularly in modern society with increasingly unpredictable lawsuits with large damage claims. Normal limits don’t always come close to addressing this risk, but for an additional cost, you can raise limits on all phases of your liability coverage with an umbrella policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How does P&amp;C insurance work?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">P&amp;C insurance works like any other type of insurance. If your personal property is damaged or destroyed by a covered peril, you can file a claim with your insurance company to get reimbursed for the losses. The same goes for liability claims, where someone is suing you for damage and seeking compensation for their losses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In either scenario, you are only covered up to your policy’s property limit and casualty limit. For example, if your house burns down and you lose everything you own, you will only be compensated for the losses up to your policy’s personal property coverage limit. Valuables and electronics are usually subject to specific coverage limits, which tend to be low.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When you purchase any type of P&amp;C insurance, make sure your coverage limits are appropriate for your situation. For instance, if you have $200,000 worth of belongings in your home, your coverage limit should match that. If your coverage limit is too low, you risk paying money out-of-pocket toward a loss.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/property-and-casualty/\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What is property and casualty insurance?','','inherit','closed','closed','','3300-revision-v1','','','2023-06-30 05:55:14','2023-06-30 05:55:14','',3300,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3301',0,'revision','',0),(3302,1,'2023-06-30 06:01:44','2023-06-30 06:01:44','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://i.imgur.com/Jjse6EU_d.webp?maxwidth=760&amp;fidelity=grand\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"article-subheading_1-0\">Homeowners insurance protects property; mortgage insurance protects your lender</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">Homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance are both types of insurance that can add to the cost of owning property, and you’re likely to encounter both during the mortgage process. However, that’s where their similarity ends</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-2\">Here’s the basic difference: Homeowners insurance protects your home and its contents, while mortgage insurance (also called private mortgage insurance, or PMI for short) protects your mortgage lender in case you can’t meet your mortgage payments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\">KEY TAKEAWAYS</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance are very different types of insurance.</li><li>Homeowners insurance protects your home, its contents, and you in case of lawsuits.</li><li>Mortgage insurance, also called private mortgage insurance (PMI), protects your lender (the bank, for instance) if you can’t meet your mortgage payments.</li><li>Most homeowners have homeowners insurance because it can make good financial sense to protect yourself from unexpected costs.&nbsp;</li><li>You will be required to purchase PMI on top of your mortgage if you either make a down payment of less than 20% or take out a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">Homeowners Insurance vs. Mortgage Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">Though homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance sound similar, they are very different in reality. Here’s a brief description of each.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\">What Is Homeowners Insurance?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">Homeowners insurance is a form of property insurance designed to protect your home and its contents from damage caused by unforeseen events. In addition, most homeowners insurance shields you from lawsuits if someone gets hurt on your property. It also insures your home and property from damage- or loss-related expenses. This insurance is best for someone wanting to protect their house and belongings. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\">A homeowners insurance policy may include coverage for your:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-14\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Home’s structure</li><li>Personal belongings</li><li>Liability in lawsuits for injuries that you, your family members, and pets cause to other people</li><li>Medical expenses if someone is hurt in your home</li><li>Extra living expenses while your home is uninhabitable&nbsp;</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\">There are limits, though. Standard homeowners insurance policies typically exclude damage caused by natural events like floods, mold, earth movements such as earthquakes and landslides, and sewer or drain backups or overflow.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\">What Is Mortgage Insurance?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">Mortgage insurance, or private mortgage insurance (PMI), is very different. This is an insurance policy designed to protect the lender—a bank, for instance—in case you can’t meet your mortgage payments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-21\">With PMI, the homeowner normally pays a percentage of their total mortgage cost each year. Then, if they are unable to make mortgage payments, the insurance company will pay the lender on their behalf. Adding PMI to your monthly bills can raise the cost of owning a house.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-30\">Do I Need Homeowners Insurance or Mortgage Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\">Which type of insurance you need depends on what kind of mortgage you have, the size of your down payment, and how close you are to paying off your mortgage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-33\">Do I Need Homeowners Insurance?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-34\">Most homeowners have some kind of homeowners insurance. That’s partially because lenders often require homeowners to take out homeowners insurance to get a mortgage. Plenty of people have homeowners insurance for its own benefits, however, and continue to pay for it even after their mortgage finishes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">Homeowners insurance can make good financial sense because of the high replacement cost of homes and costly lawsuits. Monthly premiums can be much less than what you would ever have to pay to rebuild your home or replace all your possessions in the event of a covered disaster, or if you’re sued because a visitor got hurt.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\">Do I Need Mortgage Insurance?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-39\">The answer depends on your lender.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-41\">Borrowers are normally required to take out mortgage insurance when they supply a down payment of less than 20% of the home’s purchase price. This applies if you’re taking out a conventional loan, or if you’re refinancing your home and the equity is less than 20% of its value. For Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage loans, a mortgage insurance premium (MIP)—the equivalent of PMI—is always required. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-43\">This is because lenders regard mortgages backed by less than a 20% down payment as risky, and they want protection in case you can’t meet your payments.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-45\">You can, however, cancel your PMI once you’ve paid off a good percentage of your mortgage. The rules in this regard vary, so check with your lender about their rules. In general, the earliest that you can cancel your PMI is when your principal balance falls to 80% of your home’s original value. This is defined by its contract sales price or appraised value at purchase (whichever is lower). You must have a history of on-time payments and be up to date with your bill when requesting cancellation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-47\">FHA loans have their own rules. Depending on your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio when you took out your FHA loan, your loan terms may require you to maintain your MIP for 11 years, or for the length of your mortgage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Are mortgage insurance and homeowners insurance interchangeable?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">No. Homeowners insurance protects your home and its contents. Mortgage insurance (also called private mortgage insurance or PMI) protects your mortgage lender in case you can’t meet your mortgage payments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Do you always need mortgage insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Typically, borrowers making a down payment of less than 20% of the purchase price of the home will need to pay for mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance also is typically required on Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How can I avoid PMI?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One way to avoid paying PMI is to make a down payment that is equal to 20% of the purchase price of the home. Don’t try and avoid buying PMI if you are obligated to. In that case, your lender can buy it for you and then charge you, which may be more expensive than getting it yourself.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-55\">The Bottom Line</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-56\">You will encounter both homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance as you work through the mortgage process, but they are very different types of insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-58\">Homeowners insurance protects your home, its contents, and you in case of lawsuits. Mortgage insurance, also called PMI, protects your lender (the bank, for instance) in the event that you can’t meet your mortgage payments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-60\">Most homeowners have homeowners insurance, because it can make good financial sense to protect yourself from unexpected costs. You will be required to purchase PMI—on top of your mortgage—if your down payment is less than 20% or if you take out an FHA mortgage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/homeowners-insurance-vs-mortgage-insurance-5221665\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Homeowners Insurance vs. Mortgage Insurance','','publish','closed','closed','','homeowners-insurance-vs-mortgage-insurance','','','2023-06-30 06:01:44','2023-06-30 06:01:44','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3302',0,'post','',0),(3303,1,'2023-06-30 06:01:44','2023-06-30 06:01:44','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://i.imgur.com/Jjse6EU_d.webp?maxwidth=760&amp;fidelity=grand\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"article-subheading_1-0\">Homeowners insurance protects property; mortgage insurance protects your lender</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">Homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance are both types of insurance that can add to the cost of owning property, and you’re likely to encounter both during the mortgage process. However, that’s where their similarity ends</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-2\">Here’s the basic difference: Homeowners insurance protects your home and its contents, while mortgage insurance (also called private mortgage insurance, or PMI for short) protects your mortgage lender in case you can’t meet your mortgage payments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\">KEY TAKEAWAYS</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance are very different types of insurance.</li><li>Homeowners insurance protects your home, its contents, and you in case of lawsuits.</li><li>Mortgage insurance, also called private mortgage insurance (PMI), protects your lender (the bank, for instance) if you can’t meet your mortgage payments.</li><li>Most homeowners have homeowners insurance because it can make good financial sense to protect yourself from unexpected costs.&nbsp;</li><li>You will be required to purchase PMI on top of your mortgage if you either make a down payment of less than 20% or take out a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">Homeowners Insurance vs. Mortgage Insurance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">Though homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance sound similar, they are very different in reality. Here’s a brief description of each.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\">What Is Homeowners Insurance?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">Homeowners insurance is a form of property insurance designed to protect your home and its contents from damage caused by unforeseen events. In addition, most homeowners insurance shields you from lawsuits if someone gets hurt on your property. It also insures your home and property from damage- or loss-related expenses. This insurance is best for someone wanting to protect their house and belongings. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\">A homeowners insurance policy may include coverage for your:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-14\" class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Home’s structure</li><li>Personal belongings</li><li>Liability in lawsuits for injuries that you, your family members, and pets cause to other people</li><li>Medical expenses if someone is hurt in your home</li><li>Extra living expenses while your home is uninhabitable&nbsp;</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-16\">There are limits, though. Standard homeowners insurance policies typically exclude damage caused by natural events like floods, mold, earth movements such as earthquakes and landslides, and sewer or drain backups or overflow.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\">What Is Mortgage Insurance?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-19\">Mortgage insurance, or private mortgage insurance (PMI), is very different. This is an insurance policy designed to protect the lender—a bank, for instance—in case you can’t meet your mortgage payments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-21\">With PMI, the homeowner normally pays a percentage of their total mortgage cost each year. Then, if they are unable to make mortgage payments, the insurance company will pay the lender on their behalf. Adding PMI to your monthly bills can raise the cost of owning a house.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-30\">Do I Need Homeowners Insurance or Mortgage Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-31\">Which type of insurance you need depends on what kind of mortgage you have, the size of your down payment, and how close you are to paying off your mortgage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-33\">Do I Need Homeowners Insurance?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-34\">Most homeowners have some kind of homeowners insurance. That’s partially because lenders often require homeowners to take out homeowners insurance to get a mortgage. Plenty of people have homeowners insurance for its own benefits, however, and continue to pay for it even after their mortgage finishes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">Homeowners insurance can make good financial sense because of the high replacement cost of homes and costly lawsuits. Monthly premiums can be much less than what you would ever have to pay to rebuild your home or replace all your possessions in the event of a covered disaster, or if you’re sued because a visitor got hurt.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\">Do I Need Mortgage Insurance?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-39\">The answer depends on your lender.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-41\">Borrowers are normally required to take out mortgage insurance when they supply a down payment of less than 20% of the home’s purchase price. This applies if you’re taking out a conventional loan, or if you’re refinancing your home and the equity is less than 20% of its value. For Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage loans, a mortgage insurance premium (MIP)—the equivalent of PMI—is always required. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-43\">This is because lenders regard mortgages backed by less than a 20% down payment as risky, and they want protection in case you can’t meet your payments.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-45\">You can, however, cancel your PMI once you’ve paid off a good percentage of your mortgage. The rules in this regard vary, so check with your lender about their rules. In general, the earliest that you can cancel your PMI is when your principal balance falls to 80% of your home’s original value. This is defined by its contract sales price or appraised value at purchase (whichever is lower). You must have a history of on-time payments and be up to date with your bill when requesting cancellation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-47\">FHA loans have their own rules. Depending on your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio when you took out your FHA loan, your loan terms may require you to maintain your MIP for 11 years, or for the length of your mortgage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Are mortgage insurance and homeowners insurance interchangeable?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">No. Homeowners insurance protects your home and its contents. Mortgage insurance (also called private mortgage insurance or PMI) protects your mortgage lender in case you can’t meet your mortgage payments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Do you always need mortgage insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Typically, borrowers making a down payment of less than 20% of the purchase price of the home will need to pay for mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance also is typically required on Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How can I avoid PMI?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One way to avoid paying PMI is to make a down payment that is equal to 20% of the purchase price of the home. Don’t try and avoid buying PMI if you are obligated to. In that case, your lender can buy it for you and then charge you, which may be more expensive than getting it yourself.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-55\">The Bottom Line</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-56\">You will encounter both homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance as you work through the mortgage process, but they are very different types of insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-58\">Homeowners insurance protects your home, its contents, and you in case of lawsuits. Mortgage insurance, also called PMI, protects your lender (the bank, for instance) in the event that you can’t meet your mortgage payments.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-60\">Most homeowners have homeowners insurance, because it can make good financial sense to protect yourself from unexpected costs. You will be required to purchase PMI—on top of your mortgage—if your down payment is less than 20% or if you take out an FHA mortgage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/homeowners-insurance-vs-mortgage-insurance-5221665\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Homeowners Insurance vs. Mortgage Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','3302-revision-v1','','','2023-06-30 06:01:44','2023-06-30 06:01:44','',3302,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3303',0,'revision','',0),(3304,1,'2023-06-30 06:05:06','2023-06-30 06:05:06','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://i.imgur.com/ERFfUcf_d.webp?maxwidth=760&amp;fidelity=grand\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">What Is Vandalism and Malicious Mischief Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-1\">Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance is insurance coverage that protects against losses sustained as a result of vandals.&nbsp;This type of insurance is included in most basic commercial and homeowner policies. It is an important insurance component for properties that are not occupied during well-known periods of the day, such as churches and schools. These structures can become target when they are unoccupied because vandals know there is a reduced risk of being caught.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\">KEY TAKEAWAYS</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance is included in most basic commercial and homeowner insurance policies.</li><li>Schools and churches need this type of insurance because they can be targeted during hours when they are unoccupied.</li><li>Damage caused by ex-partners is the type of vandalism and malicious mischief insurance that most often results in a claim.</li><li>Vandalism losses are not covered on dwellings that have been vacant for more than 60 days; losses perpetrated by any policy\'s named insureds are not covered either.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-5\">How Vandalism and Malicious Mischief Insurance Works</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">Due to the risk and frequency of loss, this coverage typically carries a higher deductible for properties that are known to be unoccupied for certain hours of the day, including churches and schools. Vandalism and mischief are described as the intentional injury or destruction of property. Vandalism and malicious mischief can be written as an endorsement to a standard policy, such as the standard fire policy, in the event that the policy requires a separate endorsement for this type of coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-8\">What Is Vandalism and Malicious Mischief?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\">Vandalism&nbsp;is damage done to someone else’s property, simply for the sake of causing damage.&nbsp;It is one of the most common property crimes. Malicious mischief is similar, though the damage may not have been&nbsp;intended.&nbsp;Some situations, like egging a&nbsp;house, straddle the line, depending on the outcome.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-11\">The peril of vandalism or malicious mischief covers damage to parts of the premises for which you’re responsible, as well as to personal property. If, for example, someone slashes the tires of your bike, which is stored on the property, that’s vandalism. If someone thinks your music is too loud and sneaks into your home to destroy your stereo, that, too, is vandalism. Both would likely be covered losses if they met your deductible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\">What type of vandalism most commonly results in an insurance claim?&nbsp;Damage inflicted by angry ex-husbands/wives/partners.&nbsp;Often fueled by alcohol, exes have been known to&nbsp;take revenge on a former spouse by causing property damage and destruction.&nbsp;If your ex comes into your home and trashes it, that’s vandalism, and it\'s usually covered.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you’re not living in a dwelling, it\'s important to take additional precautions against vandalism.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">What’s Not Covered as&nbsp;Vandalism and Malicious Mischief</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\">Vandalism or malicious mischief losses are not covered if a&nbsp;dwelling has been vacant for over&nbsp;60 consecutive days.&nbsp;A structure is vacant is no one is living there and it’s substantially empty of personal property necessary for normal use.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-20\">Vandalism committed by any of the insured is also not covered. What does this mean? Imagine that you live with a partner who is a named insured on your policy. Things go south and they move out, but you neglect to have the policy rewritten. That means they’re still insured under the policy. If they return and trash the place, reimbursement would likely be denied because it’s an intentional act committed by one insured against another.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/vandalism-and-malicious-mischief-insurance.asp\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Vandalism and Malicious Mischief Insurance','','publish','closed','closed','','vandalism-and-malicious-mischief-insurance','','','2023-06-30 06:05:06','2023-06-30 06:05:06','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3304',0,'post','',0),(3305,1,'2023-06-30 06:05:06','2023-06-30 06:05:06','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://i.imgur.com/ERFfUcf_d.webp?maxwidth=760&amp;fidelity=grand\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">What Is Vandalism and Malicious Mischief Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-1\">Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance is insurance coverage that protects against losses sustained as a result of vandals.&nbsp;This type of insurance is included in most basic commercial and homeowner policies. It is an important insurance component for properties that are not occupied during well-known periods of the day, such as churches and schools. These structures can become target when they are unoccupied because vandals know there is a reduced risk of being caught.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0\">KEY TAKEAWAYS</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance is included in most basic commercial and homeowner insurance policies.</li><li>Schools and churches need this type of insurance because they can be targeted during hours when they are unoccupied.</li><li>Damage caused by ex-partners is the type of vandalism and malicious mischief insurance that most often results in a claim.</li><li>Vandalism losses are not covered on dwellings that have been vacant for more than 60 days; losses perpetrated by any policy\'s named insureds are not covered either.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-5\">How Vandalism and Malicious Mischief Insurance Works</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-6\">Due to the risk and frequency of loss, this coverage typically carries a higher deductible for properties that are known to be unoccupied for certain hours of the day, including churches and schools. Vandalism and mischief are described as the intentional injury or destruction of property. Vandalism and malicious mischief can be written as an endorsement to a standard policy, such as the standard fire policy, in the event that the policy requires a separate endorsement for this type of coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-8\">What Is Vandalism and Malicious Mischief?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\">Vandalism&nbsp;is damage done to someone else’s property, simply for the sake of causing damage.&nbsp;It is one of the most common property crimes. Malicious mischief is similar, though the damage may not have been&nbsp;intended.&nbsp;Some situations, like egging a&nbsp;house, straddle the line, depending on the outcome.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-11\">The peril of vandalism or malicious mischief covers damage to parts of the premises for which you’re responsible, as well as to personal property. If, for example, someone slashes the tires of your bike, which is stored on the property, that’s vandalism. If someone thinks your music is too loud and sneaks into your home to destroy your stereo, that, too, is vandalism. Both would likely be covered losses if they met your deductible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\">What type of vandalism most commonly results in an insurance claim?&nbsp;Damage inflicted by angry ex-husbands/wives/partners.&nbsp;Often fueled by alcohol, exes have been known to&nbsp;take revenge on a former spouse by causing property damage and destruction.&nbsp;If your ex comes into your home and trashes it, that’s vandalism, and it\'s usually covered.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you’re not living in a dwelling, it\'s important to take additional precautions against vandalism.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">What’s Not Covered as&nbsp;Vandalism and Malicious Mischief</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\">Vandalism or malicious mischief losses are not covered if a&nbsp;dwelling has been vacant for over&nbsp;60 consecutive days.&nbsp;A structure is vacant is no one is living there and it’s substantially empty of personal property necessary for normal use.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-20\">Vandalism committed by any of the insured is also not covered. What does this mean? Imagine that you live with a partner who is a named insured on your policy. Things go south and they move out, but you neglect to have the policy rewritten. That means they’re still insured under the policy. If they return and trash the place, reimbursement would likely be denied because it’s an intentional act committed by one insured against another.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/vandalism-and-malicious-mischief-insurance.asp\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Vandalism and Malicious Mischief Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','3304-revision-v1','','','2023-06-30 06:05:06','2023-06-30 06:05:06','',3304,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3305',0,'revision','',0),(3306,1,'2023-06-30 06:09:57','2023-06-30 06:09:57','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/900x510/https://www.forbes.com/advisor/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/friends-on-road-trip.jpeg.jpg\" alt=\"Car Insurance For Road Trips\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Even high gas prices can’t kill the vibe of a road trip.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Most Americans (80%) plan to take a road trip this summer, according to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of AutoNation, an automotive retailer with more than 300 locations in 18 states. Nearly one in five road trippers plan to drive a car that is at least 10 years old. And not everyone is proactive about making sure their car is road trip worthy. Nearly one in six (15%) said they planned to skip a vehicle checkup entirely.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Skipping a vehicle checkup could be a major setback waiting to happen. But neglecting to check up on your car insurance could also be a disaster in the making.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Does Car Insurance Cover Road Trips?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A good car insurance policy covers common road trip problems like car accidents, flat tires and severe weather. Here are some scenarios to consider:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What if I’m driving my own car?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you are driving your own car, your car insurance policy will cover certain types of problems, depending on what coverage types you purchased.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some of the main types of car insurance and the problems they cover:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Liability car insurance.</strong> If you cause a car crash on your road trip, liability car insurance covers accidental property damage and injuries to others. It also pays for a legal defense, judgment and settlement if you are sued because of an accident. Liability car insurance is required in most states.</li><li><strong>Uninsured motorist insurance (UM).</strong> Uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage pay for medical expenses and other costs for you and your passengers if a driver without liability car insurance or insufficient liability car insurance crashes into you. UM is required in some states and optional in others (you can reject the coverage in writing).</li><li><strong>Collision and comprehensive insurance.</strong> These are optional coverage types that are often sold together and cover a wide host of road trip problems. Collision and comprehensive insurance covers problems like car accidents, car theft, hail, fire, vandalism, floods, falling objects and collisions with animals (like deer).</li><li><strong>Personal injury protection (PIP).</strong> Personal injury protection pays for you and your passengers’ medical expenses no matter who is at fault for the accident. Many states require PIP. It is optional in some states and unavailable in others.</li><li><strong>Medical Payments.</strong> Sometimes called MedPay, this covers you and your passengers’ medical bills no matter who caused the car accident. This coverage (where available) is usually sold in small amounts, often between $1,000 to $5,000. MedPay is not available in every state.</li><li><strong>Roadside assistance insurance.</strong> If you have a problem like a flat tire, dead battery, empty gas tank or lock yourself out of your car, roadside assistance insurance can help get you back on your way. This coverage may be available depending on your car insurance company. You can also get roadside assistance through other sources, such as your credit card or an auto club.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What if I own a car but I’m driving a rental car?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Generally, your personal car insurance covers rental cars within the U.S. For example, your liability insurance, collision insurance and comprehensive insurance will extend to cover a rental.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But you might have some gaps in coverage. For instance, personal car insurance usually won’t cover “loss of use” charges. If you get into a car accident, your car rental company could charge you a daily fee to cover the lost income while the rental car is in the repair shop. This could add up to thousands of dollars.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When you rent a car, you’ll typically have the option to buy a collision damage waiver (CDW), which reduces your financial responsibility if something happens to the rental car. If you get into an accident or the rental car gets stolen, the CDW lowers the amount you have to pay to repair or replace the rental car. It also covers other expenses like loss of use, towing, administrative fees and diminished value of the rental car.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But before you buy the CDW, check to see how much coverage you have through your own car insurance or credit card.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-extra-large-font-size\">What if I don’t own a car and I’m driving a rental car?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you don’t own a car and do not have your own car insurance policy, you will need to purchase rental car insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can typically get rental car insurance from your rental car company, such as Avis, Enterprise or Hertz. You’ll have the option to buy coverage types such as liability insurance, personal accident insurance (PAI), CDW, roadside assistance and personal effects coverage, which covers your personal belongings if they are damaged or stolen.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But buying rental car insurance from the rental car company can be expensive, and you might already have some coverage in your existing insurance policies. It’s a good idea to look at what your policies cover and only buy what’s necessary from the rental car company.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some policies to consider:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Credit cards.</strong> Some credit cards cover car rental insurance if you use your card to pay for the rental car, but it might be limited to certain coverage types, such as collision insurance. Credit cards often exclude other types of coverage, such as liability insurance and coverage for your own medical expenses.</li><li><strong>Health insurance.</strong> If you get hurt in a car accident within the U.S., your medical expenses are covered by your health insurance plan (your deductible and copays will apply). Personal accident insurance from the rental car company can be low. For example, Hertz PAI only pays up to $2,500 for accidental medical expenses per person.</li><li><strong>Homeowners or renters insurance.</strong> If you already have homeowners insurance, condo insurance or renters insurance, you may not need to buy personal effects coverage from the rental car company. That’s because these insurance types cover damage and theft of personal items outside of your home. For example, if your laptop is stolen from your rental car, you can file a claim under your home insurance.</li><li><strong>Non-owner car insurance.</strong> If you rent cars often, a non-owners car insurance policy is a good way to get liability coverage. But non-owner car insurance won’t cover damage to the rental car or your own medical expenses.</li><li><strong>Travel insurance.</strong> Your travel insurance plan might include some coverage for rental cars. For example, some AIG travel insurance plans provide up to $50,000 for rental car damage and $50 for roadside assistance. But they don’t include liability insurance.</li><li><strong>Umbrella insurance.</strong> If you cause a car crash that exceeds your liability limits on another policy (such as home insurance), umbrella insurance kicks in to cover the excess amount, up to your policy limits.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Does Car Insurance Cover Out-of-State Trips?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Generally, if you are driving your own car, your car insurance policy covers you in all 50 states and Canada. You do not need to buy another policy or more insurance if you travel to another state.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For example, if you take your car on a road trip from New York City to Seattle, your car insurance policy will cover you from the start of your trip to the end of your trip and all points in between (provided you stay within the U.S. and Canada).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you are driving a rental car, your car insurance will extend to out-of-state trips. Some insurers will extend coverage if you drive into Canada. For example, both Farmers and Progressive say your coverage usually extends if you drive into Canada. But it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company before you cross into Canada to ensure you have coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Does Car Insurance Cover Trips to Mexico?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Your car insurance has limited or no coverage in Mexico. If you’re planning on going south of the border for your road trip, you’ll need to buy Mexican car insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">And if you plan to rent a car in the U.S. and drive to Mexico, make sure you check with your rental car company first. Some rental car companies prohibit driving into Mexico or may restrict travel to certain areas.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How To Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Before you embark on your journey, make sure you have everything in order. Here are some road trip preparation tips:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Get your car checked.</strong> It’s a good idea to make sure your car is inspected and roadworthy before you take off on your journey. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and in good condition, fluids are topped-off or changed, the belts and hoses are in good shape and the radiator and cooling system operate properly.</li><li><strong>Assemble an emergency kit.</strong> This could include jumper cables, a tire jack, a first aid kit, emergency flares, motor oil, blankets, flashlights, nonperishable food and drinking water.</li><li><strong>Get roadside assistance.</strong> Flat tires and dead batteries are going to set you back. If you don’t already have roadside assistance insurance through a credit card, auto club (such as AAA), or vehicle manufacturer, you may be able to add it to your car insurance policy.</li><li><strong>Plan your route in advance.</strong> Have printed maps and directions in case you lose service and your GPS is unavailable. It’s also a good idea to know where you’re stopping ahead of time to avoid </li><li></li><li>drowsy driving.</li><li><strong>Have your car insurance ready.</strong> If you get into an accident, you’ll likely need to show proof of insurance. You can typically download this ahead of time on your car insurance company’s mobile app.</li><li><strong>Have your wallet ready.</strong> Check the cost of lodging ahead of time, make sure your credit cards aren’t expired, notify your credit card company that you are traveling and have some cash on hand.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/extended-road-trips/\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Car Insurance For Road Trips','','publish','closed','closed','','car-insurance-for-road-trips','','','2023-06-30 06:09:57','2023-06-30 06:09:57','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3306',0,'post','',0),(3307,1,'2023-06-30 06:09:57','2023-06-30 06:09:57','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/fit-in/900x510/https://www.forbes.com/advisor/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/friends-on-road-trip.jpeg.jpg\" alt=\"Car Insurance For Road Trips\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Even high gas prices can’t kill the vibe of a road trip.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Most Americans (80%) plan to take a road trip this summer, according to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of AutoNation, an automotive retailer with more than 300 locations in 18 states. Nearly one in five road trippers plan to drive a car that is at least 10 years old. And not everyone is proactive about making sure their car is road trip worthy. Nearly one in six (15%) said they planned to skip a vehicle checkup entirely.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Skipping a vehicle checkup could be a major setback waiting to happen. But neglecting to check up on your car insurance could also be a disaster in the making.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Does Car Insurance Cover Road Trips?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A good car insurance policy covers common road trip problems like car accidents, flat tires and severe weather. Here are some scenarios to consider:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What if I’m driving my own car?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you are driving your own car, your car insurance policy will cover certain types of problems, depending on what coverage types you purchased.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some of the main types of car insurance and the problems they cover:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Liability car insurance.</strong> If you cause a car crash on your road trip, liability car insurance covers accidental property damage and injuries to others. It also pays for a legal defense, judgment and settlement if you are sued because of an accident. Liability car insurance is required in most states.</li><li><strong>Uninsured motorist insurance (UM).</strong> Uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage pay for medical expenses and other costs for you and your passengers if a driver without liability car insurance or insufficient liability car insurance crashes into you. UM is required in some states and optional in others (you can reject the coverage in writing).</li><li><strong>Collision and comprehensive insurance.</strong> These are optional coverage types that are often sold together and cover a wide host of road trip problems. Collision and comprehensive insurance covers problems like car accidents, car theft, hail, fire, vandalism, floods, falling objects and collisions with animals (like deer).</li><li><strong>Personal injury protection (PIP).</strong> Personal injury protection pays for you and your passengers’ medical expenses no matter who is at fault for the accident. Many states require PIP. It is optional in some states and unavailable in others.</li><li><strong>Medical Payments.</strong> Sometimes called MedPay, this covers you and your passengers’ medical bills no matter who caused the car accident. This coverage (where available) is usually sold in small amounts, often between $1,000 to $5,000. MedPay is not available in every state.</li><li><strong>Roadside assistance insurance.</strong> If you have a problem like a flat tire, dead battery, empty gas tank or lock yourself out of your car, roadside assistance insurance can help get you back on your way. This coverage may be available depending on your car insurance company. You can also get roadside assistance through other sources, such as your credit card or an auto club.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What if I own a car but I’m driving a rental car?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Generally, your personal car insurance covers rental cars within the U.S. For example, your liability insurance, collision insurance and comprehensive insurance will extend to cover a rental.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But you might have some gaps in coverage. For instance, personal car insurance usually won’t cover “loss of use” charges. If you get into a car accident, your car rental company could charge you a daily fee to cover the lost income while the rental car is in the repair shop. This could add up to thousands of dollars.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When you rent a car, you’ll typically have the option to buy a collision damage waiver (CDW), which reduces your financial responsibility if something happens to the rental car. If you get into an accident or the rental car gets stolen, the CDW lowers the amount you have to pay to repair or replace the rental car. It also covers other expenses like loss of use, towing, administrative fees and diminished value of the rental car.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But before you buy the CDW, check to see how much coverage you have through your own car insurance or credit card.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-extra-large-font-size\">What if I don’t own a car and I’m driving a rental car?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you don’t own a car and do not have your own car insurance policy, you will need to purchase rental car insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can typically get rental car insurance from your rental car company, such as Avis, Enterprise or Hertz. You’ll have the option to buy coverage types such as liability insurance, personal accident insurance (PAI), CDW, roadside assistance and personal effects coverage, which covers your personal belongings if they are damaged or stolen.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But buying rental car insurance from the rental car company can be expensive, and you might already have some coverage in your existing insurance policies. It’s a good idea to look at what your policies cover and only buy what’s necessary from the rental car company.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some policies to consider:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Credit cards.</strong> Some credit cards cover car rental insurance if you use your card to pay for the rental car, but it might be limited to certain coverage types, such as collision insurance. Credit cards often exclude other types of coverage, such as liability insurance and coverage for your own medical expenses.</li><li><strong>Health insurance.</strong> If you get hurt in a car accident within the U.S., your medical expenses are covered by your health insurance plan (your deductible and copays will apply). Personal accident insurance from the rental car company can be low. For example, Hertz PAI only pays up to $2,500 for accidental medical expenses per person.</li><li><strong>Homeowners or renters insurance.</strong> If you already have homeowners insurance, condo insurance or renters insurance, you may not need to buy personal effects coverage from the rental car company. That’s because these insurance types cover damage and theft of personal items outside of your home. For example, if your laptop is stolen from your rental car, you can file a claim under your home insurance.</li><li><strong>Non-owner car insurance.</strong> If you rent cars often, a non-owners car insurance policy is a good way to get liability coverage. But non-owner car insurance won’t cover damage to the rental car or your own medical expenses.</li><li><strong>Travel insurance.</strong> Your travel insurance plan might include some coverage for rental cars. For example, some AIG travel insurance plans provide up to $50,000 for rental car damage and $50 for roadside assistance. But they don’t include liability insurance.</li><li><strong>Umbrella insurance.</strong> If you cause a car crash that exceeds your liability limits on another policy (such as home insurance), umbrella insurance kicks in to cover the excess amount, up to your policy limits.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Does Car Insurance Cover Out-of-State Trips?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Generally, if you are driving your own car, your car insurance policy covers you in all 50 states and Canada. You do not need to buy another policy or more insurance if you travel to another state.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For example, if you take your car on a road trip from New York City to Seattle, your car insurance policy will cover you from the start of your trip to the end of your trip and all points in between (provided you stay within the U.S. and Canada).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you are driving a rental car, your car insurance will extend to out-of-state trips. Some insurers will extend coverage if you drive into Canada. For example, both Farmers and Progressive say your coverage usually extends if you drive into Canada. But it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company before you cross into Canada to ensure you have coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Does Car Insurance Cover Trips to Mexico?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Your car insurance has limited or no coverage in Mexico. If you’re planning on going south of the border for your road trip, you’ll need to buy Mexican car insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">And if you plan to rent a car in the U.S. and drive to Mexico, make sure you check with your rental car company first. Some rental car companies prohibit driving into Mexico or may restrict travel to certain areas.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How To Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Before you embark on your journey, make sure you have everything in order. Here are some road trip preparation tips:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Get your car checked.</strong> It’s a good idea to make sure your car is inspected and roadworthy before you take off on your journey. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and in good condition, fluids are topped-off or changed, the belts and hoses are in good shape and the radiator and cooling system operate properly.</li><li><strong>Assemble an emergency kit.</strong> This could include jumper cables, a tire jack, a first aid kit, emergency flares, motor oil, blankets, flashlights, nonperishable food and drinking water.</li><li><strong>Get roadside assistance.</strong> Flat tires and dead batteries are going to set you back. If you don’t already have roadside assistance insurance through a credit card, auto club (such as AAA), or vehicle manufacturer, you may be able to add it to your car insurance policy.</li><li><strong>Plan your route in advance.</strong> Have printed maps and directions in case you lose service and your GPS is unavailable. It’s also a good idea to know where you’re stopping ahead of time to avoid </li><li></li><li>drowsy driving.</li><li><strong>Have your car insurance ready.</strong> If you get into an accident, you’ll likely need to show proof of insurance. You can typically download this ahead of time on your car insurance company’s mobile app.</li><li><strong>Have your wallet ready.</strong> Check the cost of lodging ahead of time, make sure your credit cards aren’t expired, notify your credit card company that you are traveling and have some cash on hand.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/extended-road-trips/\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Car Insurance For Road Trips','','inherit','closed','closed','','3306-revision-v1','','','2023-06-30 06:09:57','2023-06-30 06:09:57','',3306,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3307',0,'revision','',0),(3318,1,'2023-07-30 04:12:04','2023-07-30 04:12:04','','My-project-1-63','','inherit','closed','closed','','my-project-1-63','','','2023-07-30 04:12:04','2023-07-30 04:12:04','',3317,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-63.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3317,1,'2023-07-30 06:56:15','2023-07-30 06:56:15','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3318,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-63.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3318\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">With interest rates climbing, many investors are wondering how this will impact their financial portfolios, including their life insurance. The Federal Funds rate was 1.00% on June 9, and it is expected to climb to at least 2.62% by the end of the year in response to recent inflation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The impact of rising interest rates can be directly correlated to the performance of many asset classes. For instance, when interest rates increase, the rates of treasury notes tend to increase where the price of fixed-rate bonds decline. But what about the performance of a cash value life insurance policy such as a whole life, universal life (UL) or indexed universal life (IUL) policy? Should a policyholder expect a policy’s crediting or dividend rate to move in tandem with interest rates? The answer is “yes”—but not right away and, with some types of policies, not for a while.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Your Existing Policies</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A whole life or universal life policyholder can benefit from rising interest rates in the way of an increase to a policy’s dividend rate or crediting rate, respectively, in a few ways. First, the insurance company must benefit from greater returns from their investment portfolios where premiums are invested. In many situations, there could be a lag before these portfolios are able to invest the new money in the higher rate environment and pass along investment gains to policies. This may also assume that the carrier’s expenses and mortality costs/charges remain stable or decrease in order to receive the appreciation of higher returns.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Over the last several years, as interest rates have fallen and remained at historic lows, carriers were forced to adjust to the environment by lowering policy dividends and crediting rates. While this can be frustrating, policyholders can take comfort in that the process works in reverse when interest rates rise, albeit at a delay. As rates drop, insurance company portfolios have many long-term investments locked in at higher rates.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">As a result, there is a lag in the reduction in policy dividend and crediting rates following the decline in interest rates. If a policy is held for several decades, it is likely to experience periods of both rising and falling interest rates. The good news is that several life insurance companies have already responded by increasing crediting rates and/or creating new money policies series.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>For New Policyholders—New Money Products</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">According to a 2022 report from Oliver Wyman, “The Impact of a Rising Interest Rate Environment,” some carriers in the life insurance industry are likely to pivot toward “new money” products. These are policies that are supported by a life insurance company’s new or relatively new investment portfolio and include universal life and indexed universal life contracts. New portfolios can more easily take advantage of current interest rates, whereas existing portfolios, usually those backing in-force whole life contracts, may have a drag from prior, low interest rates.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">These new money types of policies will likely not only be attractive for those looking to purchase life insurance but also for those with existing policies. The richer benefits and reduced cost of new money products may likely drive some whole life policyholders as well as owners of older UL and IUL to consider surrendering or conducting a tax-free IRC Section 1035 exchange to reinvest the proceeds either elsewhere or in new life insurance products.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Premium Finance</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A rising interest rate environment allows purchasers of new cash value life insurance policies the ability to apply leverage and finance their policy’s premiums.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Premium finance allows a qualified purchaser to preserve cash and keep funds invested elsewhere where they earn a higher return. The process is typically accomplished in six steps.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">1. The lender makes a loan to the policyholder.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">2. The lender makes the premium payment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">3. The policy is pledged as collateral with the gap between the loan amount and cash value secured by pledging other assets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">4. The policy owner makes debt service payments to the bank.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">5. Either the policy’s cash value or its death benefit in excess of the loan balance is payable to the owner or beneficiary, respectively.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">6. Cash value disbursements from the policy may be used to repay the loan at some point while the policy is in effect.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Since the premiums are being borrowed, two risks to premium finance are interest rate increases and policy underperformance. While borrowing rates are increasing, utilizing various forms of fixed rates will help mitigate these increasing interest rates.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">IUL policies are popular for having both downside protection and upside potential when it comes to performance. By tying policy performance to available indices, an IUL crediting rate can far exceed the crediting rate of standard UL policies as well as the dividend rates declared for whole life policies. A guaranteed minimum crediting rate may prevent a negative return should the selected indices perform poorly.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Rising interest rates can positively impact IUL policies in at least three ways, all of which enhance a premium finance arrangement. First, the insurance company may be able to quickly increase the minimum crediting rate on new money IUL policies, contributing to better performance. Second, some carriers may forgo new money products and raise caps and participation rates on enforce policies. Third, as interest rates have risen, more insurance companies are investing in volatility control index choices that reduce option costs and allow for the raising of performance ceiling caps, permitting increased performance potential.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Take Advantage Of Rising Interest Rates</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">By understanding how interest rates affect life insurance, existing policyholders and prospective ones can take steps to make sure their policies are performing optimally. Premium finance may be one of those steps. Given its complexity and risk, when considering premium finance, it is important to work with an experienced team of qualified financial, legal and tax experts when implementing this strategy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2022/07/19/how-life-insurance-is-affected-by-rising-interest-rates/?sh=2d3e154ac561\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How Life Insurance Is Affected By Rising Interest Rates','','publish','closed','closed','','how-life-insurance-is-affected-by-rising-interest-rates','','','2023-07-30 06:56:15','2023-07-30 06:56:15','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3317',0,'post','',0),(3313,1,'2023-07-02 01:24:51','2023-07-02 01:24:51','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://i.imgur.com/gMyyICz_d.webp?maxwidth=760&amp;fidelity=grand\" alt=\"\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance provides property coverage for buildings and structures that are under construction. If you’re a builder or a commercial property owner, you could face considerable monetary loss if something goes wrong with the construction of a building and you don’t have builder’s risk insurance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here’s what you need to know about builder’s risk insurance, what it covers and what it doesn’t cover.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Is Builder’s Risk Insurance?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance covers property and construction materials during a project. It’s also called “course of construction insurance.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk policies are available for new construction projects, remodeling and installation work. Projects are classified as either commercial or residential risks.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Who Needs Builder’s Risk Coverage?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Types of people and businesses who can benefit from builder’s risk insurance include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Architects</li><li>Builders</li><li>Building owners</li><li>Development and investment companies</li><li>Engineers</li><li>General contractors</li><li>Lenders</li><li>Subcontractors</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Does Builder’s Risk Insurance Cover?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance protects builders against multiple types of problems, including:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Fire</li><li>Lightning</li><li>Hail</li><li>Explosions</li><li>Theft</li><li>Vandalism</li><li>Hurricanes and other “acts of God”</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A builder’s risk policy may cover:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Buildings and structures that are under construction, including temporary storage buildings, fencing and scaffolding</li><li>Equipment, such as repair of damaged equipment, as long as the equipment is covered under the policy</li><li>Materials and supplies being used</li><li>Constructions signs, trees and plants</li><li>Valuable papers such as blueprints, and electronic data</li><li>Labor</li><li>Ordinance and law costs, or the increased cost to repair or rebuild due to building codes and laws at the time of the loss</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk policies may also cover the following “soft” costs that result from construction delays:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Additional interest on loans</li><li>Lost sales income</li><li>Real estate taxes</li><li>Rental income</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">What Does Builder’s Risk Insurance Not Cover?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Not everything is covered under a builder’s risk insurance policy. For example, earthquakes and floods are generally not covered, but you can buy additional insurance for those problems. Here’s a short roundup of other common exclusions:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Acts of terrorism and war</li><li>Damage due to a faulty design</li><li>Employee theft</li><li>Mechanical breakdowns</li><li>Rust and corrosion</li><li>Wear and tear</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Be sure to check a policy’s exclusions before buying it. You want to be aware of what costs you’ll be paying if the worst happens.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Here’s how to find the best builder’s risk insurance policy for your situation:</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Figure out how much coverage you need</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Think about the project and where your risks are. This should include transportation, materials, the construction site and storage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Based on your risk, you can decide on the coverage.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Decide when you need insurance to start</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You typically need coverage once the contracts are signed. Your policy will include information about when coverage begins.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Estimate how long you need coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Builder’s risk insurance typically ends when the project is done. The policy should include specific conditions for when the coverage ends. That may be when the policy expires, when the building is occupied or when the building is being used for its intended use.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Understand the coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A builder’s risk policy excludes costs associated with repairs or correcting faulty work associated with a subcontractor. But a policy with an ensuing loss provision may cover damage and faulty work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Exclusionary provisions differ by policy, so make sure you understand the policy to avoid bad surprises.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Builder’s Risk Insurance vs. General Liability Insurance for Contractors</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">General liability insurance&nbsp;for contractors does not cover a contractor’s property. You’ll need a builder’s risk insurance policy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A general liability insurance policy offers coverage if you are responsible for causing injury or property damage to someone else. It also pays associated legal fees.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">As for damages, general liability insurance for contractors protects against fire and explosions that cause damage to someone else.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A general liability insurance policy for contractors will typically cover:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>A person getting injured on your property</li><li>A commercial space getting damaged</li><li>You or an employee causing injury or property damage</li><li>You getting sued for false advertising, libel or slander</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For those in the construction business, having both builder’s risk and liability insurance is a smart move.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business-insurance/builders-risk-insurance/\">click here</a>.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Builder’s Risk Insurance: Definition, Coverage And Cost','','inherit','closed','closed','','3296-autosave-v1','','','2023-07-02 01:24:51','2023-07-02 01:24:51','',3296,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3313',0,'revision','',0),(3315,1,'2023-07-02 12:57:33','2023-07-02 12:57:33','<!-- wp:image -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https://www.bankrate.com/2021/10/26092205/Factors-that-impact-insurance-cost.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;crop=16:9\" alt=\"A young Mixed race family having lunch at home in Auckland, New Zealand.\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In the United States the current average rate for homeowners insurance is $1,428 for $250,000 in dwelling coverage. Being familiar with the different factors that influence premiums for homeowners insurance can be useful when shopping for an insurance policy. It is also helpful to know about all of the options available to enhance a standard homeowners policy that could add to your premium. Bank rate’s insurance editorial team, which includes licensed agents, analyzed the factors that influence home insurance premiums and have provided some helpful tips to help guide you when deciding which policy is best suited to protect you financially against damage to your home and belongings.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2>Factors that impact your home insurance rate</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are several factors that insurers may use to determine your risk profile as a homeowner. A risk profile simply conveys how likely you are to experience a covered peril and file a claim. If an insurer determines you live in an area where the chance of a claim is higher, then it will likely increase your home insurance rates. The following homeowners insurance cost factors may impact your premium:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Location</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Your state&nbsp;and even your ZIP code may influence the amount you pay in home insurance premiums. If your house is located in an area with a history of perils, such as vandalism, theft or weather-related events, you may see a higher premium. However, location could have a positive impact, too. If you are located near a staffed fire station, for example, your home insurance premium could be slightly lower. Location may also be used to determine the replacement cost of your home since construction costs, including labor and materials, may vary depending on region.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-extra-large-font-size\">Dwelling coverage</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Dwelling coverage&nbsp;is the portion of your homeowners insurance policy designed to cover your home’s structure. Insurance companies have valuation tools that help calculate dwelling costs. The insurance agent – or online quoting tool – will ask you questions about your home to determine how much it might cost to rebuild your house. Be prepared to answer questions about the age of the home and appliance systems (HVAC, plumbing, etc.), the roof age and materials, the type of building materials used, the square footage and even the unique features of your home, such as dormers or architectural characteristics.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-extra-large-font-size\">Credit history</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In states where it is allowed, insurers can use a homeowner’s&nbsp;credit-based insurance score&nbsp;as a rating factor assessing the level of risk they are taking on. A higher credit-based insurance score could lead to being perceived as lower risk, and rates are often reduced accordingly. Statistically, homeowners with poor credit are more likely to file claims under their policy than homeowners who have good or excellent credit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Claims history</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Insurance companies often take previous claims filed within a certain time frame into consideration when calculating your rate. When a homeowner files a claim, their&nbsp;homeowners insurance company&nbsp;generally assumes they are more likely to file future claims. Having a history of&nbsp;filing insurance claims, even small ones, might indicate an even greater future claims risk for the insurance company.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Insurers may assess your personal claims history at current and prior properties. What that means is that even if you’re insuring a new home, your prior claims history from other homes will be visible to insurance companies for five to seven years on your&nbsp;Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report&nbsp;and will likely affect your premium on your new house.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Marital status</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Whether you’re a&nbsp;first-time home buyer&nbsp;or have owned a home for many years, your marital status may impact your homeowners insurance rates. Insurers will typically charge lower rates to married couples because of the assumed lower risk.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Age of home</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you live in an older home, you will likely pay a higher home insurance premium. The older the house, the more likely it is that aging materials could lead to damage to certain key aspects of your home, such as electrical or plumbing. Older homes may need to be brought up to code as part of the rebuilding process, so you may want to consider adding ordinance or law coverage as part of your homeowners insurance policy. This coverage extends to getting the home up to date with current laws or ordinances that were created after the home was built or last updated. If you make upgrades to the heating, electrical or plumbing systems, or any other relevant updates, notify your insurance agent in case your policy should reflect the changes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Deductible</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A&nbsp;homeowners insurance deductible&nbsp;sets the amount you will pay out of pocket for a covered claim. Agreeing to a higher deductible may decrease your premium, but it could also cost you more out of pocket. Some insurers offer diminishing deductibles on your home policy. For example,&nbsp;American Family&nbsp;may give you up to an $100 credit toward your deductible for every year you go without filing a homeowners claim. This may lower your out-of-pocket cost if you do have to file a claim down the road.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Surprising factors that impact your home insurance rate</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Though the factors above relating to a home’s construction, claims history and the insured’s credit-based insurance score may be significant, there are other factors considered in setting rates that may surprise you.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Type of home insurance policy:</strong>&nbsp;There are several different&nbsp;types of home insurance&nbsp;available, which differ in terms of benefits, perils covered, cost and kinds of homes that qualify for coverage. Talking with a licensed insurance agent may be useful to help you understand the different types of home insurance policy types and which may be right for you.</li><li><strong>Distance from water:</strong>&nbsp;“The closer a home is to the coast, the more likely it is to experience flooding or hurricane damage, and tends to increase the cost of insurance,” said Sean Harper of Kin Insurance. According to Harper, “Flood zones play a key role in whether or not you&nbsp;need flood insurance. If you have a federally-backed mortgage, like an&nbsp;FHA loan&nbsp;and your home is in a high-risk flood zone, you’re required to have flood insurance.”</li><li><strong>Distance from a fire station:&nbsp;</strong>Wherever you live, the premiums you pay for home insurance are likely to be impacted by the proximity of your home to a fire department and fire hydrant. The closer you are to a fire station and hydrant, the greater the likelihood a fire can be quickly extinguished and severe damage or complete destruction of your home averted. The insurance industry generally uses the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) from the&nbsp;Insurance Services Office (ISO)&nbsp;to determine your home’s fire risk.</li><li><strong>Dog breed:</strong>&nbsp;Having pets, especially certain&nbsp;dog breeds&nbsp;and exotic animals, may also impact your rates or even your eligibility with some companies. Harper explained, “Some companies will simply raise your rates to account for the increased ‘bite risk.’ Even if your dog isn’t a ‘restricted breed’, a bite history could also impact your rate or ability to get coverage,” said Harper. However, if you are disabled and have a service animal or emotional support animal with specialty training, discuss this with your provider to see if a lower cost or discount will apply.</li><li><strong>Attractive nuisances:</strong>&nbsp;If you have attractive nuisances, or items on your property that could be potentially dangerous and appealing, especially to children, such as&nbsp;pools&nbsp;or playground items like a&nbsp;trampoline, you will likely see higher homeowners insurance rates or eligibility restrictions. Many home insurers will not insure your property if you have a trampoline or diving board for your swimming pool.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This is just a snapshot of some of the more common things that affect your home insurance rates. There are many factors that may affect homeowners insurance premiums, including ones that might not be mentioned.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Additional home insurance coverage options</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Standard homeowners insurance policies offer protection for the structure of your home, your personal belongings and liability. However, home insurance policies don’t cover everything. If you want to fill gaps in your coverage or&nbsp;tailor your policy to fit your specific needs, you might consider adding endorsements or additional policies.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For instance, if you keep valuable items at home, like fine art or jewelry, you might think about purchasing a&nbsp;scheduled personal property policy&nbsp;or adding the endorsement to your homeowners insurance policy to get higher coverage limits. These add-ons may raise your insurance costs, but can save you from significant out-of-pocket costs in the future if you experience a&nbsp;covered peril.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Flood insurance:</strong>&nbsp;Flood insurance&nbsp;is excluded from standard home insurance policies. Although one or two companies offer flood insurance as an endorsement, flood insurance usually comes in the form of a separate policy purchased from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. Even if you don’t live in a high-risk area for floods, you may still consider flood insurance. According to the&nbsp;Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), 90 percent of all natural disasters in the U.S. involve flooding, and flood damage strikes frequently in low or moderate risk areas. Flood insurance is typically a requirement if you have a mortgage and your house is located in a flood plain.</li><li><strong>Umbrella policy:</strong>&nbsp;These policies are intended to supplement your personal liability coverage. Liability coverage helps pay for legal expenses and medical costs if someone is injured on your property or you are liable for damage to someone else’s property. If you decide that your liability coverage does not provide enough financial protection, an umbrella policy could help increase your coverage. An&nbsp;umbrella policy&nbsp;may make sense if you have a high net worth, have an attractive nuisance on your property, or if you regularly host parties at your home.</li><li><strong>Sewer backup policy:</strong>&nbsp;Sewer backup insurance&nbsp;is not automatically covered by a homeowners insurance policy. Having this added as an endorsement to your insurance policy will help protect you financially if you experience a sewer or water backup that damages your home or belongings.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There may be other options you want to add. You could speak with your insurance company and licensed insurance agent about optional coverages and additional policies to help create a robust insurance package.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/factors-that-impact-home-insurance-rates/#factors-that-impact-your-home-insurance-rate\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Factors that impact your cost of homeowners insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','3254-revision-v1','','','2023-07-02 12:57:33','2023-07-02 12:57:33','',3254,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3315',0,'revision','',0),(3319,1,'2023-07-30 06:56:15','2023-07-30 06:56:15','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3318,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-63.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3318\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">With interest rates climbing, many investors are wondering how this will impact their financial portfolios, including their life insurance. The Federal Funds rate was 1.00% on June 9, and it is expected to climb to at least 2.62% by the end of the year in response to recent inflation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The impact of rising interest rates can be directly correlated to the performance of many asset classes. For instance, when interest rates increase, the rates of treasury notes tend to increase where the price of fixed-rate bonds decline. But what about the performance of a cash value life insurance policy such as a whole life, universal life (UL) or indexed universal life (IUL) policy? Should a policyholder expect a policy’s crediting or dividend rate to move in tandem with interest rates? The answer is “yes”—but not right away and, with some types of policies, not for a while.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Your Existing Policies</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A whole life or universal life policyholder can benefit from rising interest rates in the way of an increase to a policy’s dividend rate or crediting rate, respectively, in a few ways. First, the insurance company must benefit from greater returns from their investment portfolios where premiums are invested. In many situations, there could be a lag before these portfolios are able to invest the new money in the higher rate environment and pass along investment gains to policies. This may also assume that the carrier’s expenses and mortality costs/charges remain stable or decrease in order to receive the appreciation of higher returns.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Over the last several years, as interest rates have fallen and remained at historic lows, carriers were forced to adjust to the environment by lowering policy dividends and crediting rates. While this can be frustrating, policyholders can take comfort in that the process works in reverse when interest rates rise, albeit at a delay. As rates drop, insurance company portfolios have many long-term investments locked in at higher rates.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">As a result, there is a lag in the reduction in policy dividend and crediting rates following the decline in interest rates. If a policy is held for several decades, it is likely to experience periods of both rising and falling interest rates. The good news is that several life insurance companies have already responded by increasing crediting rates and/or creating new money policies series.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>For New Policyholders—New Money Products</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">According to a 2022 report from Oliver Wyman, “The Impact of a Rising Interest Rate Environment,” some carriers in the life insurance industry are likely to pivot toward “new money” products. These are policies that are supported by a life insurance company’s new or relatively new investment portfolio and include universal life and indexed universal life contracts. New portfolios can more easily take advantage of current interest rates, whereas existing portfolios, usually those backing in-force whole life contracts, may have a drag from prior, low interest rates.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">These new money types of policies will likely not only be attractive for those looking to purchase life insurance but also for those with existing policies. The richer benefits and reduced cost of new money products may likely drive some whole life policyholders as well as owners of older UL and IUL to consider surrendering or conducting a tax-free IRC Section 1035 exchange to reinvest the proceeds either elsewhere or in new life insurance products.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Premium Finance</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A rising interest rate environment allows purchasers of new cash value life insurance policies the ability to apply leverage and finance their policy’s premiums.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Premium finance allows a qualified purchaser to preserve cash and keep funds invested elsewhere where they earn a higher return. The process is typically accomplished in six steps.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">1. The lender makes a loan to the policyholder.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">2. The lender makes the premium payment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">3. The policy is pledged as collateral with the gap between the loan amount and cash value secured by pledging other assets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">4. The policy owner makes debt service payments to the bank.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">5. Either the policy’s cash value or its death benefit in excess of the loan balance is payable to the owner or beneficiary, respectively.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">6. Cash value disbursements from the policy may be used to repay the loan at some point while the policy is in effect.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Since the premiums are being borrowed, two risks to premium finance are interest rate increases and policy underperformance. While borrowing rates are increasing, utilizing various forms of fixed rates will help mitigate these increasing interest rates.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">IUL policies are popular for having both downside protection and upside potential when it comes to performance. By tying policy performance to available indices, an IUL crediting rate can far exceed the crediting rate of standard UL policies as well as the dividend rates declared for whole life policies. A guaranteed minimum crediting rate may prevent a negative return should the selected indices perform poorly.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Rising interest rates can positively impact IUL policies in at least three ways, all of which enhance a premium finance arrangement. First, the insurance company may be able to quickly increase the minimum crediting rate on new money IUL policies, contributing to better performance. Second, some carriers may forgo new money products and raise caps and participation rates on enforce policies. Third, as interest rates have risen, more insurance companies are investing in volatility control index choices that reduce option costs and allow for the raising of performance ceiling caps, permitting increased performance potential.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Take Advantage Of Rising Interest Rates</strong></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">By understanding how interest rates affect life insurance, existing policyholders and prospective ones can take steps to make sure their policies are performing optimally. Premium finance may be one of those steps. Given its complexity and risk, when considering premium finance, it is important to work with an experienced team of qualified financial, legal and tax experts when implementing this strategy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2022/07/19/how-life-insurance-is-affected-by-rising-interest-rates/?sh=2d3e154ac561\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How Life Insurance Is Affected By Rising Interest Rates','','inherit','closed','closed','','3317-revision-v1','','','2023-07-30 06:56:15','2023-07-30 06:56:15','',3317,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3319',0,'revision','',0),(3320,1,'2023-07-30 10:26:39','2023-07-30 10:26:39','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Blacks and Hispanics are denied home loans at nearly twice the rate as whites. Here’s how to get negative decisions reversed, or find a loan elsewhere.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3321,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-65.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3321\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Earlier this year, the Department of Justice sued&nbsp;City National Bank in Los Angeles for an alleged&nbsp;pattern of unlawful redlining, which the DOJ defined as \"when lenders deny or discourage applications or avoid providing loans and other credit services in neighborhoods based on the race, color, or national origin of the residents of those neighborhoods.\"&nbsp;The DOJ alleged that during a roughly four-year span, City National Bank provided&nbsp;mortgage loans almost exclusively to customers in majority-white census tracts,&nbsp;even though in most of the communities in Los Angeles at least half of the residents are Black and Latino.\"</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">By way of comparison, the DOJ said competitor banks in the same area gave out six times as many mortgages to Black and Latino customers over the same four years.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">While you might think that redlining—the discriminatory practice of denying financial services like mortgage loans to someone based on the location and ethnic or racial makeup of their neighborhood—is a thing of the past, the case suggests it’s still happening. (Watch BAD INPUT: Mortgage Lending, below, for more on how discriminatory practices in mortgage lending persist today.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">And alarmingly, City National Bank isn’t the only bank caught doing it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In the last two years, the DOJ sued four other banks across the country over the practice, settling for a total of $73 million. The lawsuits are part of a DOJ initiative that began in October 2021 to combat redlining across the U.S.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the issue of fair housing is a moral issue,” said Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California when the settlement with National City Bank was announced. “Ending redlining is a critical step to closing the widening gaps in homeownership and wealth.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">City National Bank, which agreed to settle the DOJ’s lawsuit for a record $31 million—the highest ever settlement in a redlining lawsuit to date—said in a statement that “we disagree with the allegations, but nonetheless support the DOJ in its efforts to ensure equal access to credit for all consumers, regardless of race.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Persistent Racial Inequity in Mortgage Lending</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Redlining is not the only reason there is a shockingly large racial disparity when it comes to home ownership. In 2019, there was a 30-percentage point gap between Black and white homeownership levels, according to a recent study from Urban Institute, a social policy research organization—larger than it was in 1960. But other explanations are also rooted in historically discriminatory practices.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Homeownership is the biggest source of wealth for most families, and families that built that wealth over the last few decades did so on policies that deliberately discriminated against Black and Latino consumers,” says Chi Chi Wu, an expert on consumer credit and lending and senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. She points to the exclusion of Black and Latinos from the GI Bill after WWII. “That’s how a lot of white consumers built their wealth.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In addition, the&nbsp;credit scoring system lenders use&nbsp;to determine eligibility for a loan also disadvantages people in marginalized communities, who tend to have lower scores compared with white borrowers. (A too-low credit score is one of the two most common reasons for being denied a mortgage loan. A high debt-to-income ratio is the second one.)&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">That these groups have lower scores is at least partly due to the way scores are calculated. The current scoring models favor certain kinds of on-time payments, like those for credit cards, over others, like payments for rent and utilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“To end systemic racism in the mortgage lending system will take a coordinated effort to overhaul the credit scoring system and loan application process,” says Delicia Hand, director of financial fairness at Consumer Reports. “There is no inherent difference between a consumer’s ability to make a credit card versus, say, a rent or utility payment. But the lack of inclusion of these data into a credit score has excluded people for loans who might otherwise qualify.”&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Fortunately, efforts to change this are underway. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced last fall that once finalized, a new rule will require lenders of federally backed mortgages to use new&nbsp;types of credit scores—called FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0—that will, among other things, take a person’s rent and utility payments into consideration.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The new scoring models are intended to be more inclusive, says FICO, and will replace older FICO credit scores (also known as FICO “Classic” scores) used for the last two decades.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In the meantime, anyone who’s applied for a mortgage but was denied should know that all is not lost, says Mike Calhoun, president of the Center for Responsible Lending, a nonprofit research and policy group. “Shop around,” he says, because “this is one of the most consequential financial decisions you can make.” And, you stand to potentially get a better deal, Calhoun says.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some steps to take if you were denied a mortgage and want to either salvage your loan or look for alternatives.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How to Save on Your Loan Application</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If your application for a mortgage was denied and you want to save it, time is of the essence.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">That’s because you’ll have as little as a day or two between the time your loan officer lets you know of the denial and when the bank’s formal denial letter is issued to try to salvage the loan, if you choose to try to do that.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Ask for an Explanation of Your Denial</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">By law, lenders are required to provide a detailed explanation<strong>&nbsp;</strong>about why your application was denied. In fact, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau underscored this last year when it reminded all lenders of this obligation—even those lenders who say they use complex algorithms to determine loan qualifications that are not easily explained. If you don’t receive an explanation, press your loan officer for one. And if that doesn’t work, ask for their manager or the branch manager for more details.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“You have a legal right to understand what it is about your financial situation that caused you to be denied,” says CR’s Hand.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Provide Additional Documentation</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Incomplete or unverifiable information is another primary reason for mortgage loan denials, according to a 2020 analysis from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a national organization of community groups. Besides paystubs, tax returns, and W-2 income statements from your employer, lenders may look for verification of where your down payment is coming from, for example. Is it a gift from a family member, or a withdrawal from a retirement account? Providing a letter explaining the source, or anything else that the lender may not be clear about, such as reasons for gaps in employment along with supporting documentation, could salvage your loan application.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Ask if You Might Qualify for a Smaller Loan</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Although that might mean you’d need a larger down payment, a loan for less money could improve what’s known as your debt-to-income ratio, which the lender is looking to have come out at upward of 50 percent or so, says Alex Kellam, loan officer at Southern Trust Mortgage in Virginia Beach, Va.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Ask if a Cosigner Would Help</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Understandably, not everyone has a parent or relative who is willing to cosign a 30-year mortgage. But if you have a relative willing to make that commitment, it could make the difference between getting the mortgage or not. Kellam says it is common among his bank’s clients for there to be cosigners. In a year or two, if you are in a better position to qualify for a loan on your own, you could refinance and possibly get a better loan deal, without the need for a cosigner.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Ask if the Appraisal Was Too Low</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If the price you agreed to pay for the property is higher than the bank’s appraisal of it, the bank would look to you to make up the difference.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">So for example, if you agreed to buy the home for $500,000, but the bank’s appraiser said the home is only worth $425,000, the bank will likely be unwilling to lend you that additional $75,000.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">While this situation is not technically a mortgage denial, it leaves you with two options. One is to ask the bank to reconsider its appraisal, Kellam says. “In some cases, the listing agent and your realtor can provide prices of similar properties to compare so that the lender and their appraiser can review it and have a reconsideration of value.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another option is to either ask the seller to lower their price to the appraised value, or find funds on your own to make up the difference. Understandably, if your available funds are already stretched thin, you might not have enough to make the bank feel comfortable giving you a loan.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Shop Around for a New Mortgage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Time also matters if you decide to try to shop for a new loan instead. You have 14 days, starting with the first day the original lender did a “hard check” of your credit score, to shop around for a new mortgage without further hurting your credit score. That’s because each hard check from a potential lender will cost your score several points, but all hard checks done for the same purpose and within 14 days count only once.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Consider a Lender That Participates in a \"Special Purpose Credit Program\"</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Although these programs have been available since 1974, they remain lesser-known mechanisms to help Americans gain access to mortgages. Nearly any lender can apply for an SPCP, which allows them to specifically assist disadvantaged borrowers of color, women, people with disabilities, and other underserved groups. The CFPB recently championed SPCPs to help increase the number of homeowners and to help close the racial homeownership gap.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The National Fair Housing Alliance recently partnered with the Mortgage Bankers Association, an industry group, to expand the number of lenders that offer SPCP loans. That program is an “excellent tool for expanding credit access for underserved markets,” said Lisa Rice, president of the NFHA, in a statement announcing that partnership.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Larger traditional banks in particular may have limited, special SPCP programs, says Jonathan Wilson, vice president of mortgages from Liberty Bank, one of the largest Black-owned banks in the U.S. with branches throughout the South and Midwest. For example, Bank of America announced last August that it would offer no-down-payment and no-closing costs mortgages in some areas, including certain Black and Latino neighborhoods in Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Miami, through a new SPCP program, the Community Affordable Loan Solution.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Citibank announced a similar SPCP through its HomeRun program that helps greater numbers of Blacks and Hispanics qualify for mortgages by requiring low downpayments and removing the need to buy mortgage insurance.&nbsp;Citibank said the program would be available even in areas where the company doesn’t have any branches.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To find a bank offering an SPCP near you by, go to the&nbsp;NFHA’s website&nbsp;&nbsp;or call 202-898-1661.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Consider a Community Development Financial Institution</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">CDFI is a special designation awarded by the Department of the Treasury to banks and credit unions that have a stated mission of making banking services, including mortgages, more available to underserved populations and communities.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">As part of that, CDFI lenders can offer loan rates and terms that are more flexible than traditional lenders, says Calhoun of the Center for Responsible Lending, as well as provide downpayment assistance, or even help to bulk up a rainy-day fund in case you hit a rough patch with your monthly mortgage payment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“We want to help people buy the house,” says Wilson at Liberty Bank, itself a CDFI. “We live in the communities we serve and these are not just numbers to us. These are people that we see at church and who we run into in the grocery store.”&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The first step is to call around to your local credit unions and small banks and ask if they’re a CDFI and about what kind of loans they offer, says Calhoun. You can also look up CDFIs by ZIP code.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Ask if the Bank Will Consider a \"Portfolio\" Loan</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This refers to a bank opting to keep the loan in house rather than selling it to an investor. While less common, it can be an effective way to get a mortgage, if, for example, you have an unusual situation such as you’ve been self-employed for less than two years, or have a single item on your credit report that is pulling the whole thing down. By keeping the loan in their portfolio, the lender has greater control over who they accept or deny.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">\"With a portfolio loan, your application doesn’t have to fit into a traditional ‘box’,” Wilson says.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One recent example, he says, involved a couple who’d cosigned on a loan for their adult child, who then unexpectedly passed away. Payments were missed, hurting the couple’s credit score. So when the couple applied for a mortgage for themselves, Wilson says Liberty Bank was able to assess their total financial situation, consider their unique circumstances, and give the couple a mortgage anyway. “If you’ve been close enough to anyone who’s passed, you know that their bills and things can get missed, and the current model doesn’t consider that,” Wilson says.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Consider a Private Lender</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This could be an individual, such as a family member, or a business, the owner of the property you are trying to buy, or a contractor. It could also be a nonbank mortgage lender, which are companies that are not banks or credit unions but offer home loans. &nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Getting a loan from such a lender could have&nbsp; drawbacks: It might mean your loan won’t be federally protected as other mortgages are in situations involving bankruptcy, foreclosure, and forbearance (the allowance of delayed payments, say, during a public health crisis such as Covid-19).&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But because private loans typically have fewer federal rules to follow, lenders have much greater flexibility with loan requirements. A lender may, for example, accept a lower credit score when a buyer makes a larger down payment, for example, or accepts a higher interest rate. So they can be a good option if you’ve got a slight hitch in your application, say, or a low credit score or a high debt-to-income ratio.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In addition, private lenders can already use the FICO 10T score, FICO says, without having to wait until 2025 before it will be used for all federally backed loans. Asking a private lender to run this score, versus your FICO classic, could help you secure better loan terms.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">File a Complaint if You Think You Are a Victim of Redlining or Financial Discrimination</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are several places you can file a complaint:<br>• DOJ’s housing discrimination tip line at 833-591-0291 or submit a report&nbsp;online.<br>• CFPB at 855-411-2372 or submit&nbsp;online.<br>• Housing and Urban Development at 800-669-9777 or submit&nbsp;online.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Correction</strong>: This article was updated to more accurately reflect the allegations in the Department of Justice’s complaint against City National Bank, and to clarify that outcome of the suit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/money/buying-a-home/what-to-do-if-you-are-denied-a-mortgage-a5962702267/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/badinput/\"></a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What to Do if You Are Denied a Mortgage','','publish','closed','closed','','what-to-do-if-you-are-denied-a-mortgage','','','2023-07-31 06:18:08','2023-07-31 06:18:08','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3320',0,'post','',0),(3321,1,'2023-07-30 07:28:49','2023-07-30 07:28:49','','My-project-1-65','','inherit','closed','closed','','my-project-1-65','','','2023-07-30 07:28:49','2023-07-30 07:28:49','',3320,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-65.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3322,1,'2023-07-30 10:26:39','2023-07-30 10:26:39','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Blacks and Hispanics are denied home loans at nearly twice the rate as whites. Here’s how to get negative decisions reversed, or find a loan elsewhere.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3321,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-65.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3321\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Earlier this year, the Department of Justice sued&nbsp;City National Bank in Los Angeles for an alleged&nbsp;pattern of unlawful redlining, which the DOJ defined as \"when lenders deny or discourage applications or avoid providing loans and other credit services in neighborhoods based on the race, color, or national origin of the residents of those neighborhoods.\"&nbsp;The DOJ alleged that during a roughly four-year span, City National Bank provided&nbsp;mortgage loans almost exclusively to customers in majority-white census tracts,&nbsp;even though in most of the communities in Los Angeles at least half of the residents are Black and Latino.\"</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">By way of comparison, the DOJ said competitor banks in the same area gave out six times as many mortgages to Black and Latino customers over the same four years.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">While you might think that redlining—the discriminatory practice of denying financial services like mortgage loans to someone based on the location and ethnic or racial makeup of their neighborhood—is a thing of the past, the case suggests it’s still happening. (Watch BAD INPUT: Mortgage Lending, below, for more on how discriminatory practices in mortgage lending persist today.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">And alarmingly, City National Bank isn’t the only bank caught doing it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In the last two years, the DOJ sued four other banks across the country over the practice, settling for a total of $73 million. The lawsuits are part of a DOJ initiative that began in October 2021 to combat redlining across the U.S.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the issue of fair housing is a moral issue,” said Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California when the settlement with National City Bank was announced. “Ending redlining is a critical step to closing the widening gaps in homeownership and wealth.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">City National Bank, which agreed to settle the DOJ’s lawsuit for a record $31 million—the highest ever settlement in a redlining lawsuit to date—said in a statement that “we disagree with the allegations, but nonetheless support the DOJ in its efforts to ensure equal access to credit for all consumers, regardless of race.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Persistent Racial Inequity in Mortgage Lending</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Redlining is not the only reason there is a shockingly large racial disparity when it comes to home ownership. In 2019, there was a 30-percentage point gap between Black and white homeownership levels, according to a recent study from Urban Institute, a social policy research organization—larger than it was in 1960. But other explanations are also rooted in historically discriminatory practices.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Homeownership is the biggest source of wealth for most families, and families that built that wealth over the last few decades did so on policies that deliberately discriminated against Black and Latino consumers,” says Chi Chi Wu, an expert on consumer credit and lending and senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. She points to the exclusion of Black and Latinos from the GI Bill after WWII. “That’s how a lot of white consumers built their wealth.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In addition, the credit scoring system lenders use to determine eligibility for a loan also disadvantages people in marginalized communities, who tend to have lower scores compared with white borrowers. (A too-low credit score is one of the two most common reasons for being denied a mortgage loan. A high debt-to-income ratio is the second one.) </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">That these groups have lower scores is at least partly due to the way scores are calculated. The current scoring models favor certain kinds of on-time payments, like those for credit cards, over others, like payments for rent and utilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“To end systemic racism in the mortgage lending system will take a coordinated effort to overhaul the credit scoring system and loan application process,” says Delicia Hand, director of financial fairness at Consumer Reports. “There is no inherent difference between a consumer’s ability to make a credit card versus, say, a rent or utility payment. But the lack of inclusion of these data into a credit score has excluded people for loans who might otherwise qualify.”&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Fortunately, efforts to change this are underway. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced last fall that once finalized, a new rule will require lenders of federally backed mortgages to use new types of credit scores—called FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0—that will, among other things, take a person’s rent and utility payments into consideration. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The new scoring models are intended to be more inclusive, says FICO, and will replace older FICO credit scores (also known as FICO “Classic” scores) used for the last two decades.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In the meantime, anyone who’s applied for a mortgage but was denied should know that all is not lost, says Mike Calhoun, president of the Center for Responsible Lending, a nonprofit research and policy group. “Shop around,” he says, because “this is one of the most consequential financial decisions you can make.” And, you stand to potentially get a better deal, Calhoun says.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are some steps to take if you were denied a mortgage and want to either salvage your loan or look for alternatives.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How to Save on Your Loan Application</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If your application for a mortgage was denied and you want to save it, time is of the essence.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">That’s because you’ll have as little as a day or two between the time your loan officer lets you know of the denial and when the bank’s formal denial letter is issued to try to salvage the loan, if you choose to try to do that.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Ask for an Explanation of Your Denial</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">By law, lenders are required to provide a detailed explanation<strong>&nbsp;</strong>about why your application was denied. In fact, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau underscored this last year when it reminded all lenders of this obligation—even those lenders who say they use complex algorithms to determine loan qualifications that are not easily explained. If you don’t receive an explanation, press your loan officer for one. And if that doesn’t work, ask for their manager or the branch manager for more details.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“You have a legal right to understand what it is about your financial situation that caused you to be denied,” says CR’s Hand.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Provide Additional Documentation</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Incomplete or unverifiable information is another primary reason for mortgage loan denials, according to a 2020 analysis from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a national organization of community groups. Besides paystubs, tax returns, and W-2 income statements from your employer, lenders may look for verification of where your down payment is coming from, for example. Is it a gift from a family member, or a withdrawal from a retirement account? Providing a letter explaining the source, or anything else that the lender may not be clear about, such as reasons for gaps in employment along with supporting documentation, could salvage your loan application.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Ask if You Might Qualify for a Smaller Loan</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Although that might mean you’d need a larger down payment, a loan for less money could improve what’s known as your debt-to-income ratio, which the lender is looking to have come out at upward of 50 percent or so, says Alex Kellam, loan officer at Southern Trust Mortgage in Virginia Beach, Va.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Ask if a Cosigner Would Help</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Understandably, not everyone has a parent or relative who is willing to cosign a 30-year mortgage. But if you have a relative willing to make that commitment, it could make the difference between getting the mortgage or not. Kellam says it is common among his bank’s clients for there to be cosigners. In a year or two, if you are in a better position to qualify for a loan on your own, you could refinance and possibly get a better loan deal, without the need for a cosigner.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Ask if the Appraisal Was Too Low</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If the price you agreed to pay for the property is higher than the bank’s appraisal of it, the bank would look to you to make up the difference.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">So for example, if you agreed to buy the home for $500,000, but the bank’s appraiser said the home is only worth $425,000, the bank will likely be unwilling to lend you that additional $75,000.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">While this situation is not technically a mortgage denial, it leaves you with two options. One is to ask the bank to reconsider its appraisal, Kellam says. “In some cases, the listing agent and your realtor can provide prices of similar properties to compare so that the lender and their appraiser can review it and have a reconsideration of value.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another option is to either ask the seller to lower their price to the appraised value, or find funds on your own to make up the difference. Understandably, if your available funds are already stretched thin, you might not have enough to make the bank feel comfortable giving you a loan.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Shop Around for a New Mortgage</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Time also matters if you decide to try to shop for a new loan instead. You have 14 days, starting with the first day the original lender did a “hard check” of your credit score, to shop around for a new mortgage without further hurting your credit score. That’s because each hard check from a potential lender will cost your score several points, but all hard checks done for the same purpose and within 14 days count only once.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Consider a Lender That Participates in a \"Special Purpose Credit Program\"</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Although these programs have been available since 1974, they remain lesser-known mechanisms to help Americans gain access to mortgages. Nearly any lender can apply for an SPCP, which allows them to specifically assist disadvantaged borrowers of color, women, people with disabilities, and other underserved groups. The CFPB recently championed SPCPs to help increase the number of homeowners and to help close the racial homeownership gap.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The National Fair Housing Alliance recently partnered with the Mortgage Bankers Association, an industry group, to expand the number of lenders that offer SPCP loans. That program is an “excellent tool for expanding credit access for underserved markets,” said Lisa Rice, president of the NFHA, in a statement announcing that partnership.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Larger traditional banks in particular may have limited, special SPCP programs, says Jonathan Wilson, vice president of mortgages from Liberty Bank, one of the largest Black-owned banks in the U.S. with branches throughout the South and Midwest. For example, Bank of America announced last August that it would offer no-down-payment and no-closing costs mortgages in some areas, including certain Black and Latino neighborhoods in Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Miami, through a new SPCP program, the Community Affordable Loan Solution.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Citibank announced a similar SPCP through its HomeRun program that helps greater numbers of Blacks and Hispanics qualify for mortgages by requiring low downpayments and removing the need to buy mortgage insurance.&nbsp;Citibank said the program would be available even in areas where the company doesn’t have any branches.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To find a bank offering an SPCP near you by, go to the NFHA’s website  or call 202-898-1661.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Consider a Community Development Financial Institution</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">CDFI is a special designation awarded by the Department of the Treasury to banks and credit unions that have a stated mission of making banking services, including mortgages, more available to underserved populations and communities.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">As part of that, CDFI lenders can offer loan rates and terms that are more flexible than traditional lenders, says Calhoun of the Center for Responsible Lending, as well as provide downpayment assistance, or even help to bulk up a rainy-day fund in case you hit a rough patch with your monthly mortgage payment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“We want to help people buy the house,” says Wilson at Liberty Bank, itself a CDFI. “We live in the communities we serve and these are not just numbers to us. These are people that we see at church and who we run into in the grocery store.”&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The first step is to call around to your local credit unions and small banks and ask if they’re a CDFI and about what kind of loans they offer, says Calhoun. You can also look up CDFIs by ZIP code.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Ask if the Bank Will Consider a \"Portfolio\" Loan</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This refers to a bank opting to keep the loan in house rather than selling it to an investor. While less common, it can be an effective way to get a mortgage, if, for example, you have an unusual situation such as you’ve been self-employed for less than two years, or have a single item on your credit report that is pulling the whole thing down. By keeping the loan in their portfolio, the lender has greater control over who they accept or deny.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">\"With a portfolio loan, your application doesn’t have to fit into a traditional ‘box’,” Wilson says.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One recent example, he says, involved a couple who’d cosigned on a loan for their adult child, who then unexpectedly passed away. Payments were missed, hurting the couple’s credit score. So when the couple applied for a mortgage for themselves, Wilson says Liberty Bank was able to assess their total financial situation, consider their unique circumstances, and give the couple a mortgage anyway. “If you’ve been close enough to anyone who’s passed, you know that their bills and things can get missed, and the current model doesn’t consider that,” Wilson says.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Consider a Private Lender</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This could be an individual, such as a family member, or a business, the owner of the property you are trying to buy, or a contractor. It could also be a nonbank mortgage lender, which are companies that are not banks or credit unions but offer home loans. &nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Getting a loan from such a lender could have&nbsp; drawbacks: It might mean your loan won’t be federally protected as other mortgages are in situations involving bankruptcy, foreclosure, and forbearance (the allowance of delayed payments, say, during a public health crisis such as Covid-19).&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But because private loans typically have fewer federal rules to follow, lenders have much greater flexibility with loan requirements. A lender may, for example, accept a lower credit score when a buyer makes a larger down payment, for example, or accepts a higher interest rate. So they can be a good option if you’ve got a slight hitch in your application, say, or a low credit score or a high debt-to-income ratio.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In addition, private lenders can already use the FICO 10T score, FICO says, without having to wait until 2025 before it will be used for all federally backed loans. Asking a private lender to run this score, versus your FICO classic, could help you secure better loan terms.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">File a Complaint if You Think You Are a Victim of Redlining or Financial Discrimination</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">There are several places you can file a complaint:<br>• DOJ’s housing discrimination tip line at 833-591-0291 or submit a report online.<br>• CFPB at 855-411-2372 or submit online.<br>• Housing and Urban Development at 800-669-9777 or submit online.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Correction</strong>: This article was updated to more accurately reflect the allegations in the Department of Justice’s complaint against City National Bank, and to clarify that outcome of the suit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/money/buying-a-home/what-to-do-if-you-are-denied-a-mortgage-a5962702267/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/badinput/\"></a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','What to Do if You Are Denied a Mortgage','','inherit','closed','closed','','3320-revision-v1','','','2023-07-30 10:26:39','2023-07-30 10:26:39','',3320,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3322',0,'revision','',0),(3323,1,'2023-07-30 10:50:56','2023-07-30 10:50:56','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3328,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-74.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3328\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Sometimes, you find yourself with spare time on your hands, and nothing pressing needs to be done. When you’re bored and not sure what to do, this can be a great moment to nurture your personal or professional development.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Remember being “productive” doesn’t always mean producing immediate output. We like to consider productivity author and speaker Chris Bailey’s definition of productivity:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“[Productivity is] accomplishing what we intend to.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“If our intention is to empty our email inbox, write a report, and update our budget in Excel, and we do, I would argue that we\'re perfectly productive. The same is true if we intend to rest and unwind on a beach with a piña colada, soak in the sun, or drink coffee all day. If that\'s our intention and we do that, we\'re perfectly productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“The key to productivity is in the decision that comes before our actions.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">With this in mind, we’ve created a list of productive things you can do with your extra time. You can use these ideas to stay productive when you find yourself getting distracted or bored.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>22 Productive Things to Do When Bored</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are the 22 productive things you can do when you’re bored. We’ll cover things you can do for your mental health, for self-reflection, for learning, for work productivity, and for your personal life. We’ll get into the details of how these activities may benefit you and when you may want to do them. We’ll also cover the three traps you can fall into and want to avoid when you have too much time on your hands.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>1. Relax</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Doing nothing can be productive. We often feel the pressure to constantly be doing something. But sometimes, the healthiest thing you can do with your free time is to pause, relax, and focus on self-care. Taking breaks is key to staying productive long term and critical for your mental health. If you’ve been gifted with some downtime, take advantage of it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>2. Take a Walk</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">We’re big advocates of walking. Going for a morning walk improves your productivity. It helps you clear your head, get you away from a computer screen, and oxygenate your body. Walking helps to regulate stress levels and improve your overall health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>3. Meditate</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Meditation is a powerful habit that has numerous benefits to your well-being and mood. Practicing mindfulness calms your mind, makes you more grateful, and leaves you calmer and more focused. If you don’t know how to meditate, you can use a mindfulness app, such as Calm or Headspace.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>4. Read a Novel</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Pick up a good book and let yourself get lost in the story. Reading improves your cognition and vocabulary, makes you more empathetic, reduces stress, and aids sleep. Reading a novel is a fun escape from the responsibilities of work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>5. Exercise</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Physical activity is amazing for your overall health and productivity. Exercise helps keep your weight under control, improves your heart health, boosts your mood, improves your ability to think and learn, and helps you get better sleep. And you don’t have to do it for a long time to reap benefits — even 10 minutes a day is enough to improve your health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>6. Journal</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Self-reflection through journaling is a great way to stay productive. Look at lists of the best self-reflection questions and the best self-reflection quotes to inspire you to get started.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>7. Reflect on Your Habits</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Developing good habits is one of the most important things you can do to build a successful and fulfilling career and personal life. While building and sticking to good habits is key, reflecting on them is just as important to make sure you’re focusing on the right habits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Take a look at your morning routine, work breaks, and planning habits. Are you happy with how you approach them?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>8. Reflect on Your Time Management</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Time is your most valuable resource. Understanding how you spend it is the best way to remain productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One way to do it is using a time tracker like Rize to automatically track your time and focus. If you have some spare time, you can then explore the dashboard and see how efficient you’re being. Is there anything distracting you? Where are you wasting time? What can you start or stop doing? These are the questions you can ask to reflect and improve upon your time management skills.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>9. Practice a New Skill</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">With an internet connection, you have so many amazing resources at your fingertips. If you find yourself having some extra time, learn a new skill. There are amazing articles and YouTube channels on everything from woodworking to playing an instrument to DIY crafts and more.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Expanding your skill set can lead to finding an exciting new hobby or starting a side hustle. But even if it doesn\'t, it stimulates your brain — and that’s productive enough.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>10. Watch an Educational Video</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you don’t have time to learn a skill, you can instead watch a video to get insight into a new topic. TED Talks or similar videos on YouTube are a great resource for this type of learning.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>11. Take an Online Course</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The internet is filled with high-quality free courses on every topic under the sun. You can start an online course from Udemy or even Harvard University to pick up anytime you find yourself with extra time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>12. Learn a New Language</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Is learning a new language on your bucket list, but you never feel like you have enough time to sign up for a class? Maybe you wanted to learn some Japanese before your trip to Tokyo? You can use your spare time to learn the basics. Products like Duolingo and Toucan can help you do that with just 10 minutes of spare time a day.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>13. Listen to an Audiobook or a Podcast</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Kick back and enjoy a good novel or podcast during your downtime. You’ll unplug and learn something new in a fun way. Spotify or Audible are both good resources to check out — the more you listen, the more relevant recommendations you’ll get.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>14. Read an Interesting Article or Newsletter</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Bookmark interesting articles you come across throughout the week. You can use an app like Pocket to help you save them. Then, when you find yourself bored, you can go back to them and enjoy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>15. Clean Your Workspace</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Take some time to declutter your desk. Clearing your workspace can help you clear your mind as well. Having clutter-free space on the outside will help you feel similar on the inside.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>16. Look Up Productivity Tips and Habits</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This is the perfect time to look up the newest productivity hacks and daily habits. Work is continually changing and new insights emerge to match transforming work environments. You can be productive by researching ways to be more productive!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>17. Respond to Emails and Clean Up Your Inbox</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Go through your email inbox and respond to those emails you’ve been meaning to for the past few weeks. Take some time to unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t find relevant. Organizing your emails can give you lots of satisfaction and help you be more productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>18. Ask Your Teammates if They Need Help</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When you have some downtime, your teammates might be finding themselves underwater. Take a moment to reach out to see if they need any help. They’ll appreciate it and may be more likely to help you out when you need it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>19. Call Your Friends and Family Members</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Take advantage of your free time and check in with family and friends. When you’re constantly busy, it’s easy to fall out of touch with your loved ones. Call your best friend or your mom — chances are they want to hear from you too.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>20. Batch Cook</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Create a meal plan and batch cook a few meals for the week. This will save you a lot of time in your daily routine, and it’s healthier and less expensive than ordering food. This may be a good moment to get creative and try out a new recipe you’ve been meaning to test.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>21. Clean Your House</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Already cleaned your desk? Move on to the rest of your house or home office. You’ll be more productive in a clean and organized environment and enjoy the work more.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>22. Go Grocery Shopping</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The middle of a workday is a good time to step outside and go grocery shopping. If you have some free time, slip away and buy your groceries for the week.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Bonus: 3 Things to Avoid When You’re Bored</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">While it may be tempting to indulge in them, certain activities aren’t great to fill up your spare time at work. When you find yourself with unexpected time on your hands, try to avoid these three things.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Using Social Media</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Social media is a notorious black hole where it’s easy to get lost. Before you realize it, you’ve burned up your free time and don’t feel any more productive or happy. So close Facebook, LinkedIn, and social media accounts as well as Netflix and even Amazon. There are better ways to spend time when you’re bored.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Forcing Yourself to Work on Unimportant Tasks</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you find yourself procrastinating and context switching, it may be that you subconsciously know you’re not working on an important task. If you’re bored and have a lot of time, don’t force yourself to work on unimportant tasks. It’s usually not a good use of your time and energy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Impulsively Starting New Projects</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When you’re feeling bored, your mind may think up great ideas. Before you know it, you’re creating a vision board for an exciting project and coming up with new challenges for yourself.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This is not to say that you shouldn’t have ideas. But make sure to check in with yourself before you commit to a new project. Do you actually have the time and energy for this, or are there higher priorities that need to be accomplished first?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Find Out How You’re Spending Time When You’re Bored</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The above list of productive things to do when bored isn’t exhaustive. You may want to pick some items and completely ignore others. The most important question to ask yourself is: What does “productive” mean to you?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://rize.io/blog/22-productive-things-to-do-when-bored\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','22 Productive Things to Do When Bored','','publish','closed','closed','','22-productive-things-to-do-when-bored','','','2023-07-30 10:50:56','2023-07-30 10:50:56','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3323',0,'post','',0),(3324,1,'2023-07-30 10:33:21','2023-07-30 10:33:21','','My-project-1-59','','inherit','closed','closed','','my-project-1-59','','','2023-07-30 10:33:21','2023-07-30 10:33:21','',3207,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-59.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3325,1,'2023-07-30 10:33:49','2023-07-30 10:33:49','','My-project-1-59-1','','inherit','closed','closed','','my-project-1-59-1','','','2023-07-30 10:33:49','2023-07-30 10:33:49','',3207,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-59-1.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3326,1,'2023-07-30 10:33:56','2023-07-30 10:33:56','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Take control of your Facebook experience—here\'s how.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3325,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-59-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3325\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">Facebook gives us so much: Ways to connect with old friends, see what former classmates and colleagues are up to,&nbsp;donate to family-backed causes, and keep in touch with faraway family members. You can find endless recipe videos to watch (but never make), and even find yourself a used moped in mint condition.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-2\">But with each new feature rollout comes yet another notification,&nbsp;privacy concern, or straight-up inconvenience—and you don\'t have to grin and bear it. From pesky ad notifications to cringe-worthy memories you\'d prefer to keep in the past, here\'s how to tailor your Facebook experience to be exactly how you want it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-4\">\"On This Day\" Memories</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-5\">Some memories belong in the past. You can control whether you see any On This Day or other Memory posts—and you can even go as far as to list a specific person and date you do not want to be reminded of (which is helpful for exes). In the left-hand sidebar of your profile page—in the same column that lists Friends, Groups, Messenger, and Marketplace—click on Memories (you can also go directly to&nbsp;facebook.com/memories). Choose Notifications in the left menu and select either \"None\" to turn off all notifications, or \"Highlights\" to only get notifications about certain memories, like celebration videos.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">You can also get down to the nitty gritty and decide if there are certain people or certain days you would rather not remember via Facebook notification. To block Memories related to certain people or dates, in the left-hand bar under Notifications, select Hide People (and then select individuals via search and drop-down option) or Hide Dates (and then set your preferred date parameters). You make the rules!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\">Auto-Play Videos</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">While scrolling through your newsfeed, there are some videos you just do not want to see, but that play without warning anyway. To stop random videos from auto-playing in your Facebook News Feed, click the drop-down arrow button in the top right-hand corner, choose Settings and Privacy, then Setting again. Select Videos in the left sidebar (you may have to scroll down a bit), then click on the drop-down menu to the right of \"Auto-Play Videos\" and select \"off.\"</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\">Off-Facebook Activity</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\">Facebook launched the Off-Facebook Activity tool, which lets you manage how the company sees and tracks your activity across the internet (yep, it\'s been doing that). According to the Facebook help center: \"Off-Facebook activity is a summary of activity that businesses and organizations share with us about your interactions, such as visiting their apps or websites. They use our Business Tools, like Facebook Login or Facebook Pixel, to share this information with us.\" The good news is you can clear the history of apps and websites you use that have shared your data, and you can disconnect data tracking going forward.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\">Click the drop-down arrow button in the top right-hand corner, choose Settings and Privacy, then Settings again. Click Your Facebook Information in the left column, then Off-Facebook Activity. To clear your history, choose Clear History. To turn off your future Off-Facebook activity for all apps and websites, choose Future Off-Facebook Activity, and click Turn Off.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">Location History</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\">On the Facebook app, you have the option to turn on Location History to allow Facebook to know your precise whereabouts through the Location Services on your device. But if you\'re not interested in having FB keep tabs and records of your various locations within the app, you can turn off Location History at any time. In the Facebook app, tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner; tap Settings, Privacy Shortcuts, and Manage your location settings, then switch the toggle icon off.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-20\">Location Sharing (Nearby Friends)</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-21\">Nearby Friends is a feature that lets you and your friends share your locations with each other, and turning on Nearby Friends in your app will automatically turn on Location History, too. If you want Facebook to stop sharing your location with friends, head to the bottom-right menu icon, then tap Nearby Friends (or maybe See More if it\'s not at the top). Hit your own name, hit settings, then switch the toggle icon to \"off.\" You can always change these back should you decide you want to start sharing your location again.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-23\">Ads You Don\'t Want to See</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-24\">If you\'re either feeling targeted by your Facebook ads or simply don\'t want to be shown content you\'re not interested in, you\'re not alone. The next time an ad you\'d prefer not to see pops up in your Feed or webpage guardrail, click the ellipsis on the right and select \"Hide Ad\" to delete that one advertisement, or \"Hide all ads from [brand]\" to free yourself completely (at least on Facebook).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-26\">Facebook Live Notifications</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-27\">With Facebook Live came more notifications. Whether or not you\'re tagged in a video—and whether or not you plan on tuning in—Facebook lets you know when friends go live. Good news: You can disable Facebook live notifications with a few clicks. Under Settings go to Notifications, scroll down to Video and click to expand the drop-down, and choose \"off.\" You can also control notifications about tags, birthdays, people you may know, the marketplace, and more here.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-29\">Read Message Notifications</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-30\">Leaving someone on \"read\" goes against&nbsp;basic social media etiquette. Ideally, you want to be able to open a message before you\'re ready to respond but without leaving the person on \"read.\" You can easily mark individual messages as \"unread,\" giving yourself a bit more time to formulate the perfect response. When you hover over each conversation in FB Messenger, you\'ll see a circle with three dots to the right. Click that and select Mark as Unread.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-32\">Group Activity Notifications</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-33\">Getting notifications from a Facebook group you joined years ago, but just aren\'t ready to leave yet? Turn those bad boys off. At the top right of the group page, next to the search icon, click on the three-dot icon, hit Manage Notifications, and pick your preferred settings: Receive alerts for \"All posts,\" \"Highlights,\" \"Friends\' posts,\" or \"Off.\"</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-35\">News Feed Display</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">It\'s not them, it\'s you—or, yeah, maybe it actually is them. Either way, you may have some&nbsp;<em>extremely</em>&nbsp;active Facebook friends whose posts are clogging your timeline (and driving you bananas). Don\'t want to go so far as to unfriend them, but need to quiet the noise? We hear you. You have a couple of options.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\">You can Unfollow them (different from Unfriending them or Blocking them)—basically, their posts and activity will stop populating your feed, but you\'ll still be able to see their profiles and send messages. Do this by clicking the three dots in the upper right corner of an individual person or page\'s post, and selecting \"Unfollow [person\'s name].\" You can also head to the main top right drop-down menu, select Privacy and Settings, News Feed Preferences, Unfollow, and search for the person in question.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-40\">Face Recognition</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-41\">The fact that Facebook can scan photos, identify faces, and suggest tags for photos is objectively cool. At first, it was actually pretty helpful—then it just got a little creepy. If you don\'t love the thought of Facebook knowing exactly what you look like—and don\'t need help recognizing your own or your friends\' faces in photos—you can quickly switch off this questionable feature. Go to Settings and Privacy, Settings, then choose Face Recognition in the left-hand menu. Where it asks \"Do you want Facebook to be able to recognize you in photos and videos?\" click Edit and select \"no\" from the drop-down menu.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-43\">Game and App Invitations</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-44\">Do you have a Facebook friend from high school that you haven\'t spoken to in years who keeps inviting you to play Candy Crush on Facebook? Not to worry, you can put a stop to that by blocking their app invites. All you have to do is go to \"Settings,\" select \"Blocking,\" and type the name(s) of your friend(s) who is sending unsolicited invites. This also works for events, apps in general, pages, and messages.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-46\">Once you\'ve toggled through all the Facebook options, make sure you&nbsp;update your Instagram settings&nbsp;as well.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/technology/control-facebook-settings\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','12 Facebook Settings and Notifications You Can Turn Off Immediately','','inherit','closed','closed','','3207-autosave-v1','','','2023-07-30 10:33:56','2023-07-30 10:33:56','',3207,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3326',0,'revision','',0),(3327,1,'2023-07-30 10:34:06','2023-07-30 10:34:06','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Take control of your Facebook experience—here\'s how.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3325,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-59-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3325\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\">Facebook gives us so much: Ways to connect with old friends, see what former classmates and colleagues are up to,&nbsp;donate to family-backed causes, and keep in touch with faraway family members. You can find endless recipe videos to watch (but never make), and even find yourself a used moped in mint condition.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-2\">But with each new feature rollout comes yet another notification,&nbsp;privacy concern, or straight-up inconvenience—and you don\'t have to grin and bear it. From pesky ad notifications to cringe-worthy memories you\'d prefer to keep in the past, here\'s how to tailor your Facebook experience to be exactly how you want it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-4\">\"On This Day\" Memories</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-5\">Some memories belong in the past. You can control whether you see any On This Day or other Memory posts—and you can even go as far as to list a specific person and date you do not want to be reminded of (which is helpful for exes). In the left-hand sidebar of your profile page—in the same column that lists Friends, Groups, Messenger, and Marketplace—click on Memories (you can also go directly to&nbsp;facebook.com/memories). Choose Notifications in the left menu and select either \"None\" to turn off all notifications, or \"Highlights\" to only get notifications about certain memories, like celebration videos.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-7\">You can also get down to the nitty gritty and decide if there are certain people or certain days you would rather not remember via Facebook notification. To block Memories related to certain people or dates, in the left-hand bar under Notifications, select Hide People (and then select individuals via search and drop-down option) or Hide Dates (and then set your preferred date parameters). You make the rules!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-9\">Auto-Play Videos</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-10\">While scrolling through your newsfeed, there are some videos you just do not want to see, but that play without warning anyway. To stop random videos from auto-playing in your Facebook News Feed, click the drop-down arrow button in the top right-hand corner, choose Settings and Privacy, then Setting again. Select Videos in the left sidebar (you may have to scroll down a bit), then click on the drop-down menu to the right of \"Auto-Play Videos\" and select \"off.\"</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-12\">Off-Facebook Activity</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-13\">Facebook launched the Off-Facebook Activity tool, which lets you manage how the company sees and tracks your activity across the internet (yep, it\'s been doing that). According to the Facebook help center: \"Off-Facebook activity is a summary of activity that businesses and organizations share with us about your interactions, such as visiting their apps or websites. They use our Business Tools, like Facebook Login or Facebook Pixel, to share this information with us.\" The good news is you can clear the history of apps and websites you use that have shared your data, and you can disconnect data tracking going forward.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-15\">Click the drop-down arrow button in the top right-hand corner, choose Settings and Privacy, then Settings again. Click Your Facebook Information in the left column, then Off-Facebook Activity. To clear your history, choose Clear History. To turn off your future Off-Facebook activity for all apps and websites, choose Future Off-Facebook Activity, and click Turn Off.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-17\">Location History</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-18\">On the Facebook app, you have the option to turn on Location History to allow Facebook to know your precise whereabouts through the Location Services on your device. But if you\'re not interested in having FB keep tabs and records of your various locations within the app, you can turn off Location History at any time. In the Facebook app, tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner; tap Settings, Privacy Shortcuts, and Manage your location settings, then switch the toggle icon off.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-20\">Location Sharing (Nearby Friends)</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-21\">Nearby Friends is a feature that lets you and your friends share your locations with each other, and turning on Nearby Friends in your app will automatically turn on Location History, too. If you want Facebook to stop sharing your location with friends, head to the bottom-right menu icon, then tap Nearby Friends (or maybe See More if it\'s not at the top). Hit your own name, hit settings, then switch the toggle icon to \"off.\" You can always change these back should you decide you want to start sharing your location again.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-23\">Ads You Don\'t Want to See</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-24\">If you\'re either feeling targeted by your Facebook ads or simply don\'t want to be shown content you\'re not interested in, you\'re not alone. The next time an ad you\'d prefer not to see pops up in your Feed or webpage guardrail, click the ellipsis on the right and select \"Hide Ad\" to delete that one advertisement, or \"Hide all ads from [brand]\" to free yourself completely (at least on Facebook).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-26\">Facebook Live Notifications</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-27\">With Facebook Live came more notifications. Whether or not you\'re tagged in a video—and whether or not you plan on tuning in—Facebook lets you know when friends go live. Good news: You can disable Facebook live notifications with a few clicks. Under Settings go to Notifications, scroll down to Video and click to expand the drop-down, and choose \"off.\" You can also control notifications about tags, birthdays, people you may know, the marketplace, and more here.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-29\">Read Message Notifications</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-30\">Leaving someone on \"read\" goes against&nbsp;basic social media etiquette. Ideally, you want to be able to open a message before you\'re ready to respond but without leaving the person on \"read.\" You can easily mark individual messages as \"unread,\" giving yourself a bit more time to formulate the perfect response. When you hover over each conversation in FB Messenger, you\'ll see a circle with three dots to the right. Click that and select Mark as Unread.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-32\">Group Activity Notifications</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-33\">Getting notifications from a Facebook group you joined years ago, but just aren\'t ready to leave yet? Turn those bad boys off. At the top right of the group page, next to the search icon, click on the three-dot icon, hit Manage Notifications, and pick your preferred settings: Receive alerts for \"All posts,\" \"Highlights,\" \"Friends\' posts,\" or \"Off.\"</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-35\">News Feed Display</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-36\">It\'s not them, it\'s you—or, yeah, maybe it actually is them. Either way, you may have some&nbsp;<em>extremely</em>&nbsp;active Facebook friends whose posts are clogging your timeline (and driving you bananas). Don\'t want to go so far as to unfriend them, but need to quiet the noise? We hear you. You have a couple of options.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\">You can Unfollow them (different from Unfriending them or Blocking them)—basically, their posts and activity will stop populating your feed, but you\'ll still be able to see their profiles and send messages. Do this by clicking the three dots in the upper right corner of an individual person or page\'s post, and selecting \"Unfollow [person\'s name].\" You can also head to the main top right drop-down menu, select Privacy and Settings, News Feed Preferences, Unfollow, and search for the person in question.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-40\">Face Recognition</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-41\">The fact that Facebook can scan photos, identify faces, and suggest tags for photos is objectively cool. At first, it was actually pretty helpful—then it just got a little creepy. If you don\'t love the thought of Facebook knowing exactly what you look like—and don\'t need help recognizing your own or your friends\' faces in photos—you can quickly switch off this questionable feature. Go to Settings and Privacy, Settings, then choose Face Recognition in the left-hand menu. Where it asks \"Do you want Facebook to be able to recognize you in photos and videos?\" click Edit and select \"no\" from the drop-down menu.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-43\">Game and App Invitations</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-44\">Do you have a Facebook friend from high school that you haven\'t spoken to in years who keeps inviting you to play Candy Crush on Facebook? Not to worry, you can put a stop to that by blocking their app invites. All you have to do is go to \"Settings,\" select \"Blocking,\" and type the name(s) of your friend(s) who is sending unsolicited invites. This also works for events, apps in general, pages, and messages.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\" id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-46\">Once you\'ve toggled through all the Facebook options, make sure you&nbsp;update your Instagram settings&nbsp;as well.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/technology/control-facebook-settings\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','12 Facebook Settings and Notifications You Can Turn Off Immediately','','inherit','closed','closed','','3207-revision-v1','','','2023-07-30 10:34:06','2023-07-30 10:34:06','',3207,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3327',0,'revision','',0),(3328,1,'2023-07-30 10:40:06','2023-07-30 10:40:06','','My-project-1-74','','inherit','closed','closed','','my-project-1-74','','','2023-07-30 10:40:06','2023-07-30 10:40:06','',3323,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-74.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3329,1,'2023-07-30 10:50:56','2023-07-30 10:50:56','<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3328,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-74.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3328\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Sometimes, you find yourself with spare time on your hands, and nothing pressing needs to be done. When you’re bored and not sure what to do, this can be a great moment to nurture your personal or professional development.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Remember being “productive” doesn’t always mean producing immediate output. We like to consider productivity author and speaker Chris Bailey’s definition of productivity:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“[Productivity is] accomplishing what we intend to.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“If our intention is to empty our email inbox, write a report, and update our budget in Excel, and we do, I would argue that we\'re perfectly productive. The same is true if we intend to rest and unwind on a beach with a piña colada, soak in the sun, or drink coffee all day. If that\'s our intention and we do that, we\'re perfectly productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“The key to productivity is in the decision that comes before our actions.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">With this in mind, we’ve created a list of productive things you can do with your extra time. You can use these ideas to stay productive when you find yourself getting distracted or bored.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>22 Productive Things to Do When Bored</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are the 22 productive things you can do when you’re bored. We’ll cover things you can do for your mental health, for self-reflection, for learning, for work productivity, and for your personal life. We’ll get into the details of how these activities may benefit you and when you may want to do them. We’ll also cover the three traps you can fall into and want to avoid when you have too much time on your hands.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>1. Relax</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Doing nothing can be productive. We often feel the pressure to constantly be doing something. But sometimes, the healthiest thing you can do with your free time is to pause, relax, and focus on self-care. Taking breaks is key to staying productive long term and critical for your mental health. If you’ve been gifted with some downtime, take advantage of it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>2. Take a Walk</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">We’re big advocates of walking. Going for a morning walk improves your productivity. It helps you clear your head, get you away from a computer screen, and oxygenate your body. Walking helps to regulate stress levels and improve your overall health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>3. Meditate</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Meditation is a powerful habit that has numerous benefits to your well-being and mood. Practicing mindfulness calms your mind, makes you more grateful, and leaves you calmer and more focused. If you don’t know how to meditate, you can use a mindfulness app, such as Calm or Headspace.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>4. Read a Novel</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Pick up a good book and let yourself get lost in the story. Reading improves your cognition and vocabulary, makes you more empathetic, reduces stress, and aids sleep. Reading a novel is a fun escape from the responsibilities of work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>5. Exercise</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Physical activity is amazing for your overall health and productivity. Exercise helps keep your weight under control, improves your heart health, boosts your mood, improves your ability to think and learn, and helps you get better sleep. And you don’t have to do it for a long time to reap benefits — even 10 minutes a day is enough to improve your health.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>6. Journal</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Self-reflection through journaling is a great way to stay productive. Look at lists of the best self-reflection questions and the best self-reflection quotes to inspire you to get started.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>7. Reflect on Your Habits</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Developing good habits is one of the most important things you can do to build a successful and fulfilling career and personal life. While building and sticking to good habits is key, reflecting on them is just as important to make sure you’re focusing on the right habits.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Take a look at your morning routine, work breaks, and planning habits. Are you happy with how you approach them?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>8. Reflect on Your Time Management</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Time is your most valuable resource. Understanding how you spend it is the best way to remain productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One way to do it is using a time tracker like Rize to automatically track your time and focus. If you have some spare time, you can then explore the dashboard and see how efficient you’re being. Is there anything distracting you? Where are you wasting time? What can you start or stop doing? These are the questions you can ask to reflect and improve upon your time management skills.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>9. Practice a New Skill</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">With an internet connection, you have so many amazing resources at your fingertips. If you find yourself having some extra time, learn a new skill. There are amazing articles and YouTube channels on everything from woodworking to playing an instrument to DIY crafts and more.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Expanding your skill set can lead to finding an exciting new hobby or starting a side hustle. But even if it doesn\'t, it stimulates your brain — and that’s productive enough.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>10. Watch an Educational Video</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you don’t have time to learn a skill, you can instead watch a video to get insight into a new topic. TED Talks or similar videos on YouTube are a great resource for this type of learning.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>11. Take an Online Course</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The internet is filled with high-quality free courses on every topic under the sun. You can start an online course from Udemy or even Harvard University to pick up anytime you find yourself with extra time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>12. Learn a New Language</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Is learning a new language on your bucket list, but you never feel like you have enough time to sign up for a class? Maybe you wanted to learn some Japanese before your trip to Tokyo? You can use your spare time to learn the basics. Products like Duolingo and Toucan can help you do that with just 10 minutes of spare time a day.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>13. Listen to an Audiobook or a Podcast</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Kick back and enjoy a good novel or podcast during your downtime. You’ll unplug and learn something new in a fun way. Spotify or Audible are both good resources to check out — the more you listen, the more relevant recommendations you’ll get.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>14. Read an Interesting Article or Newsletter</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Bookmark interesting articles you come across throughout the week. You can use an app like Pocket to help you save them. Then, when you find yourself bored, you can go back to them and enjoy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>15. Clean Your Workspace</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Take some time to declutter your desk. Clearing your workspace can help you clear your mind as well. Having clutter-free space on the outside will help you feel similar on the inside.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>16. Look Up Productivity Tips and Habits</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This is the perfect time to look up the newest productivity hacks and daily habits. Work is continually changing and new insights emerge to match transforming work environments. You can be productive by researching ways to be more productive!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>17. Respond to Emails and Clean Up Your Inbox</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Go through your email inbox and respond to those emails you’ve been meaning to for the past few weeks. Take some time to unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t find relevant. Organizing your emails can give you lots of satisfaction and help you be more productive.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>18. Ask Your Teammates if They Need Help</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When you have some downtime, your teammates might be finding themselves underwater. Take a moment to reach out to see if they need any help. They’ll appreciate it and may be more likely to help you out when you need it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>19. Call Your Friends and Family Members</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Take advantage of your free time and check in with family and friends. When you’re constantly busy, it’s easy to fall out of touch with your loved ones. Call your best friend or your mom — chances are they want to hear from you too.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>20. Batch Cook</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Create a meal plan and batch cook a few meals for the week. This will save you a lot of time in your daily routine, and it’s healthier and less expensive than ordering food. This may be a good moment to get creative and try out a new recipe you’ve been meaning to test.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>21. Clean Your House</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Already cleaned your desk? Move on to the rest of your house or home office. You’ll be more productive in a clean and organized environment and enjoy the work more.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>22. Go Grocery Shopping</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The middle of a workday is a good time to step outside and go grocery shopping. If you have some free time, slip away and buy your groceries for the week.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Bonus: 3 Things to Avoid When You’re Bored</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">While it may be tempting to indulge in them, certain activities aren’t great to fill up your spare time at work. When you find yourself with unexpected time on your hands, try to avoid these three things.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Using Social Media</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Social media is a notorious black hole where it’s easy to get lost. Before you realize it, you’ve burned up your free time and don’t feel any more productive or happy. So close Facebook, LinkedIn, and social media accounts as well as Netflix and even Amazon. There are better ways to spend time when you’re bored.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Forcing Yourself to Work on Unimportant Tasks</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you find yourself procrastinating and context switching, it may be that you subconsciously know you’re not working on an important task. If you’re bored and have a lot of time, don’t force yourself to work on unimportant tasks. It’s usually not a good use of your time and energy.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":4,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h4 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Impulsively Starting New Projects</strong></h4>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When you’re feeling bored, your mind may think up great ideas. Before you know it, you’re creating a vision board for an exciting project and coming up with new challenges for yourself.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This is not to say that you shouldn’t have ideas. But make sure to check in with yourself before you commit to a new project. Do you actually have the time and energy for this, or are there higher priorities that need to be accomplished first?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Find Out How You’re Spending Time When You’re Bored</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The above list of productive things to do when bored isn’t exhaustive. You may want to pick some items and completely ignore others. The most important question to ask yourself is: What does “productive” mean to you?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://rize.io/blog/22-productive-things-to-do-when-bored\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','22 Productive Things to Do When Bored','','inherit','closed','closed','','3323-revision-v1','','','2023-07-30 10:50:56','2023-07-30 10:50:56','',3323,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3329',0,'revision','',0),(3330,1,'2023-07-30 11:09:46','2023-07-30 11:09:46','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The earliest you can get Social Security retirement benefits is age 62, but other factors affect retirement planning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3331,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-75.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3331\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The earliest you can get retirement benefits from Social Security is age 62, but waiting longer to claim will boost your benefit amount. Lower expenses and other income sources may help you retire even sooner.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To find out when you can retire, weigh your expected Social Security benefits and other savings against your estimated expenses. It’s also helpful to build in a contingency plan for emergencies and long-term care and compensate for future inflation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Estimate your expenses</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Financial planners often suggest people think of their expenses as three buckets:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ol class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Must-haves.</strong> If Social Security and pensions don’t cover all of your must-haves, you may want to consider using some of your savings to buy an annuity that would provide a larger stream of guaranteed income. </li><li><strong>Wants or discretionary expenses.</strong> Money for these might come from other income, such as retirement plan withdrawals or other investments.</li><li><strong>Contingency reserve.</strong> This is kept intact for unexpected expenses and long-term care.</li></ol>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Must-have expenses</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">These are the costs you’ll need to cover, no matter what. Must-haves include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Shelter costs (rent or mortgage, property taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs).</li><li>Groceries.</li><li>Transportation (car payments, insurance, fuel, maintenance and repairs).</li><li>Utilities.</li><li>Minimum payments on any debt.</li><li>Health care. This is a significant part of most retirees’ expenses, averaging 10% to 15% of their total spending. </li><li>Taxes. Most people’s tax rates drop in retirement, but taxes still take 5% to 6% of a typical retired household’s budget. If you’re not working, you’ll no longer pay Social Security or Medicare payroll taxes, but you may owe income taxes on your Social Security benefits if you also receive income from other sources. In addition, pension income and retirement plan withdrawals are typically taxable.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Wants or discretionary costs</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">These expenses can be reduced or put off if necessary. Discretionary costs can include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Dining out.</li><li>Travel.</li><li>Entertainment.</li><li>Clothes.</li><li>Housekeeping and other home services.</li><li>Home furnishings.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When markets go into an extended downturn, these expenses would be the first to cut. When your investments are doing better than expected, or you get an inheritance or other windfall, you may be able to boost spending here.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Contingency reserve</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>For emergencies:</strong> An unanticipated repair bill or medical expense can be harder to manage when you can’t volunteer for an extra shift or otherwise easily increase your income. That’s why many planners recommend retirees have a larger emergency fund – perhaps six to 12 months’ worth of expenses, rather than the typical three to six months recommended for working people.</li><li><strong>For long-term care: </strong>Nursing home stays and other custodial care aren’t covered by Medicare. You might consider long-term care insurance to cover these expenses, or alternatively, tapping your home equity or reserving some savings or investments.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Plan when to claim Social Security</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">On average, Social Security retirement benefits replace roughly 40% of a worker’s pre-retirement salary. Depending on your planned expenses, this amount could be a significant portion of your income during retirement.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>The earliest you can get retirement benefits from Social Security is age 62, but your checks will be permanently reduced by 25% to 30% from what you could get at full retirement age.</li><li>The full retirement age is currently 66 but is rising to 67 for people born in 1960 and later.</li><li>Your Social Security benefit maxes out at age 70. Your checks could be 24% to 32% more than what you’d get at your full retirement age, and up to 76% larger than what you’d get at 62.</li><li>The average Social Security benefit is $1,784 per month in 2023. The maximum benefit is $3,627 at full retirement age. It’s $4,555 per month if retiring at age 70 and $2,572 for retirement at age 62.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Other income sources may help you retire sooner</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Retirement funds</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Many retirees supplement their Social Security benefits with distributions from a retirement account such as a Roth IRA or 401(k).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The classic rule is to withdraw no more than 4% in the first year and to adjust the amount by the inflation rate every subsequent year. If you withdraw $30,000 and inflation is 5% that year, you increase the next year’s withdrawal by $1,500 (.05 times $30,000) to $31,500. If the next year’s inflation rate is 10%, you add $3,150 to the previous year’s withdrawal, and so on.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you want to retire early, you may want to start withdrawals at 3% or even less to compensate for the risk of bad markets — or try other strategies that could let you withdraw more if you’re willing to cut back spending occasionally.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Pensions</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Some private sector jobs still have traditional pensions, also known as defined benefit plans, but they’re much more common if you’re a government worker or a union member. Payouts typically start at 65, but you may get a smaller amount if you begin earlier.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you get a pension from a job that did not deduct Social Security tax from your paychecks — that includes many teachers as well as some state and local government workers — it may affect how much Social Security you get because of something known as the windfall elimination provision. You can read more about that on Social Security’s site.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Part-time work</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Working longer can be an enormous help in closing the gap between what you have and what you need to retire. Even a part-time job can reduce what you need to draw from your savings.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Also, trying to get back into the job market can be hard if you miscalculate and need to resume work. Keeping a part-time job or side gig could make it easier to transition back to earning more income, should you need it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Home equity</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can tap home equity by selling your house, moving to a less expensive home and using the amount you clear to beef up your investments. Or you can consider a reverse mortgage, which allows you to borrow against your home equity. You can get a lump sum, a stream of payments or a line of credit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Reverse mortgages don’t require you to make payments, but the amount you owe grows over time, typically at variable interest rates, and the loan must be paid off when you sell the home, die or move out.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Inheritance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It’s risky to count on an inheritance before you actually get one. The person who would make the bequest could change their mind, need the money themselves or make bad investment choices.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/social-security/when-can-i-retire#:~:text=income%20during%20retirement.-,The%20earliest%20you%20can%20get%20retirement%20benefits%20from%20Social%20Security,born%20in%201960%20and%20later.\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','When Can I Retire?','','publish','closed','closed','','when-can-i-retire','','','2023-07-30 11:09:46','2023-07-30 11:09:46','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3330',0,'post','',0),(3331,1,'2023-07-30 10:59:10','2023-07-30 10:59:10','','My-project-1-75','','inherit','closed','closed','','my-project-1-75','','','2023-07-30 10:59:10','2023-07-30 10:59:10','',3330,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-75.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3332,1,'2023-07-30 11:09:46','2023-07-30 11:09:46','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The earliest you can get Social Security retirement benefits is age 62, but other factors affect retirement planning.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":3331,\"sizeSlug\":\"full\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-75.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3331\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The earliest you can get retirement benefits from Social Security is age 62, but waiting longer to claim will boost your benefit amount. Lower expenses and other income sources may help you retire even sooner.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">To find out when you can retire, weigh your expected Social Security benefits and other savings against your estimated expenses. It’s also helpful to build in a contingency plan for emergencies and long-term care and compensate for future inflation.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Estimate your expenses</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Financial planners often suggest people think of their expenses as three buckets:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ol class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Must-haves.</strong> If Social Security and pensions don’t cover all of your must-haves, you may want to consider using some of your savings to buy an annuity that would provide a larger stream of guaranteed income. </li><li><strong>Wants or discretionary expenses.</strong> Money for these might come from other income, such as retirement plan withdrawals or other investments.</li><li><strong>Contingency reserve.</strong> This is kept intact for unexpected expenses and long-term care.</li></ol>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Must-have expenses</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">These are the costs you’ll need to cover, no matter what. Must-haves include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Shelter costs (rent or mortgage, property taxes, insurance, maintenance and repairs).</li><li>Groceries.</li><li>Transportation (car payments, insurance, fuel, maintenance and repairs).</li><li>Utilities.</li><li>Minimum payments on any debt.</li><li>Health care. This is a significant part of most retirees’ expenses, averaging 10% to 15% of their total spending. </li><li>Taxes. Most people’s tax rates drop in retirement, but taxes still take 5% to 6% of a typical retired household’s budget. If you’re not working, you’ll no longer pay Social Security or Medicare payroll taxes, but you may owe income taxes on your Social Security benefits if you also receive income from other sources. In addition, pension income and retirement plan withdrawals are typically taxable.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Wants or discretionary costs</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">These expenses can be reduced or put off if necessary. Discretionary costs can include:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Dining out.</li><li>Travel.</li><li>Entertainment.</li><li>Clothes.</li><li>Housekeeping and other home services.</li><li>Home furnishings.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When markets go into an extended downturn, these expenses would be the first to cut. When your investments are doing better than expected, or you get an inheritance or other windfall, you may be able to boost spending here.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Contingency reserve</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>For emergencies:</strong> An unanticipated repair bill or medical expense can be harder to manage when you can’t volunteer for an extra shift or otherwise easily increase your income. That’s why many planners recommend retirees have a larger emergency fund – perhaps six to 12 months’ worth of expenses, rather than the typical three to six months recommended for working people.</li><li><strong>For long-term care: </strong>Nursing home stays and other custodial care aren’t covered by Medicare. You might consider long-term care insurance to cover these expenses, or alternatively, tapping your home equity or reserving some savings or investments.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Plan when to claim Social Security</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">On average, Social Security retirement benefits replace roughly 40% of a worker’s pre-retirement salary. Depending on your planned expenses, this amount could be a significant portion of your income during retirement.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>The earliest you can get retirement benefits from Social Security is age 62, but your checks will be permanently reduced by 25% to 30% from what you could get at full retirement age.</li><li>The full retirement age is currently 66 but is rising to 67 for people born in 1960 and later.</li><li>Your Social Security benefit maxes out at age 70. Your checks could be 24% to 32% more than what you’d get at your full retirement age, and up to 76% larger than what you’d get at 62.</li><li>The average Social Security benefit is $1,784 per month in 2023. The maximum benefit is $3,627 at full retirement age. It’s $4,555 per month if retiring at age 70 and $2,572 for retirement at age 62.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\"><strong>Other income sources may help you retire sooner</strong></h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Retirement funds</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Many retirees supplement their Social Security benefits with distributions from a retirement account such as a Roth IRA or 401(k).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The classic rule is to withdraw no more than 4% in the first year and to adjust the amount by the inflation rate every subsequent year. If you withdraw $30,000 and inflation is 5% that year, you increase the next year’s withdrawal by $1,500 (.05 times $30,000) to $31,500. If the next year’s inflation rate is 10%, you add $3,150 to the previous year’s withdrawal, and so on.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you want to retire early, you may want to start withdrawals at 3% or even less to compensate for the risk of bad markets — or try other strategies that could let you withdraw more if you’re willing to cut back spending occasionally.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Pensions</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Some private sector jobs still have traditional pensions, also known as defined benefit plans, but they’re much more common if you’re a government worker or a union member. Payouts typically start at 65, but you may get a smaller amount if you begin earlier.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you get a pension from a job that did not deduct Social Security tax from your paychecks — that includes many teachers as well as some state and local government workers — it may affect how much Social Security you get because of something known as the windfall elimination provision. You can read more about that on Social Security’s site.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Part-time work</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Working longer can be an enormous help in closing the gap between what you have and what you need to retire. Even a part-time job can reduce what you need to draw from your savings.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Also, trying to get back into the job market can be hard if you miscalculate and need to resume work. Keeping a part-time job or side gig could make it easier to transition back to earning more income, should you need it.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Home equity</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can tap home equity by selling your house, moving to a less expensive home and using the amount you clear to beef up your investments. Or you can consider a reverse mortgage, which allows you to borrow against your home equity. You can get a lump sum, a stream of payments or a line of credit.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Reverse mortgages don’t require you to make payments, but the amount you owe grows over time, typically at variable interest rates, and the loan must be paid off when you sell the home, die or move out.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Inheritance</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It’s risky to count on an inheritance before you actually get one. The person who would make the bequest could change their mind, need the money themselves or make bad investment choices.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/social-security/when-can-i-retire#:~:text=income%20during%20retirement.-,The%20earliest%20you%20can%20get%20retirement%20benefits%20from%20Social%20Security,born%20in%201960%20and%20later.\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','When Can I Retire?','','inherit','closed','closed','','3330-revision-v1','','','2023-07-30 11:09:46','2023-07-30 11:09:46','',3330,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3332',0,'revision','',0),(3333,1,'2023-07-30 12:01:08','2023-07-30 12:01:08','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3334,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-76.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3334\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Homeowners often undertake remodeling projects with an ulterior motive. Sure, they want to enhance their living space; but frequently they hope the renovation or addition will boost their home’s value as well. After all, aren’t three bathrooms better than two? Who wouldn’t want a state-of-the-art kitchen, a swimming pool or a finished basement? And new exterior siding should make you the envy of the neighborhood, right?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Misguided thinking. When it comes to adding value, not all home improvements are created equal. In fact, “some home projects can actually decrease your home value,” says Northwestern University data scientist Mischa Fisher, former chief economist at Angi, the contractor search service/house renovation site.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The return on investment that home improvements offer can vary significantly from over 100 percent to a mere 20 percent, depending on the specific type of project you take on. Fact is, very few renovations and remodels fully recoup their costs, or even most of their costs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"home-improvements\">Do home improvements always add value to the house?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The short answer is no, home improvements do not always add value to your home. Even if they do, that’s not quite the same as you actually making a profit on the project, or even recouping your costs. There’s a big difference between adding value to your home and earning a return on your investment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Some improvements might not add significant value because they are too personalized, going beyond the taste of the average buyer, or are not in line with the style and value of other homes in your neighborhood,” says Roman Smolevskiy, a general contractor and owner of A+ Construction &amp; Remodeling in Sacramento, Calif.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can look at a project’s returns in two ways: First, how the project raises the total resale or market value of your home. This is a nice way to see how your home’s worth has changed, compared to the money you spent on the project. It can be useful to know if you’re thinking of putting your house up for sale, are contemplating borrowing against it or just want a sense of its overall value — and your equity stake in it — when totaling up your assets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Or, you can look at the project’s return on investment, or ROI. “This is a measure of how much the home’s value rises as a share of the project cost, typically expressed as a percentage of the total project cost,” Fisher explains. “For example, if a $4,000 garage door improvement adds $3,500 to the value of your home, you could say the project has an 88 percent ROI. This means you are able to recoup a large share of the project cost.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The point is, don’t confuse a project’s return on investment percentage with the amount of profit — or the amount of increased home value. For example, the 2023 Cost vs Value Report done annually by Remodeling, an authoritative contracting industry trade journal, says replacing your old windows with new vinyl ones costs $20,091 and has an ROI of 68.5 percent. That means it bumps a home’s potential price tag up by $13,766 – it does not mean the entire value of your home increases by 68.5 percent. And you’ll notice that the $13,766 it ups your home’s worth by is much less than the $20,091 you spent on the windows.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"improvements-that-add-value\">Home improvements that add value to your home</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Some particular home improvements historically have been more valuable than others. Here are some that earn the biggest bang for your renovation buck, based on the latest intel from Remodeling’s 2023 Cost vs Value Report,  and the experts we talked to.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Kitchen renovations</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“The kitchen remains one of the most-used rooms in a home. Buyers often look for updated, modern kitchens, so a kitchen renovation may significantly increase your home’s appeal,” Smolevskiy explains.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Remodeling’s most recent Cost vs Value Report indicates that a minor kitchen remodel offers a good return: The ROI is 85.7 percent (up 71.2 percent last year) from based on an average job cost of $26,790 that adds a home resale value of $22,963. It involves mainly cosmetic changes to a “functional but dated” kitchen: replacing the floor, cabinet fronts, countertops and appliances with midrange-priced alternatives, and repainting the walls and ceiling.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">However, if you want to get a decent return on your kitchen renovation, keep costs low. Larger and more costly kitchen renos recoup less cash, Remodeling notes. A $77,939 major kitchen remodel, which involves adding new cabinets, an island, extra appliances and custom lighting, in addition to the above — has an ROI of 41.8 percent. And if you go with a really upscale remodel — all top-of-the-line, state-of-the art appliances, custom-built additions and high-end materials — the ROI drops to 31.7 percent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“High-end kitchen remodels can cost up to $150,000 but will likely only get about $50,000 in return,” Tom Nolan, founder of AllStar Home, a Raleigh, NC home improvement company, says. “A lot of this can come from over-engineering a kitchen with too many unique features that only a selected buyer will recognize.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Bathroom remodeling</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Much like the kitchen, bathrooms are frequently used [and] highly valued by homebuyers. An updated, stylish bathroom can greatly appeal to prospective purchasers,” Smolevskiy points out.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But a bathroom renovation‘s ROI often follows the same pattern as kitchen renovations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“These are some of the most expensive remodel projects you can choose, but they rarely fetch more than $20,000 in value,” Nolan cautions. “Keeping a bathroom clean, organized and appealing is better than spending $10,000 on a computerized toilet – so get the value you want to see out of this project.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">According to the Remodeling report, a midrange-budget bath remodel, with an average price tag of $24,606, will yield an ROI of 66.7 percent. Basically, it involves replacing all the fixtures (tub, toilet, vanity) with fresher, modern versions. Try a more ambitious project that involves expanding the room, relocating fixtures, adding a walk-in shower — all to an estimated tune of $76,827 — your return on investment drops to only 36.7 percent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Energy-efficient improvements</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Energy-efficient enhancements to your home are definitely in, and can make a big difference in resale value, as increasing numbers of buyers are asking about green features or clean power sources. “Upgrading to energy-efficient options can help lower utility bills and increase the overall sustainability of your home, which is an attractive feature for buyers,” says Augusto Bittencourt, a real estate salesperson with Compass in New York City.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Case in point: A HVAC conversion, which involves converting a traditional fossil-fuel-burning furnace to an electric heat pump for cooling and heating. While this can cost $17,747, on average, it could more than pay for itself — its ROI is estimated at 103.5 percent, in fact, topping Remodeling’s Cost vs Value list.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Equipping your home with a more energy-efficient HVAC system, upgrading your insulation or putting on a new roof will have a profound effect on your home’s value long-term,” says Calvin Lamont, co-host of HGTV’s <em>By It or Build It</em>. “And now is a great time to get more for your investment with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in effect. Every state is different, but with the new IRA, homeowners may be eligible for tax credits or rebates when purchasing energy-efficient appliances.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Outdoor enhancements</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In terms of investment returns, exterior remodels rule — and have done so for the last 30 years, Remodeling’s report notes. In fact, four of the top five jobs yielding ROIs above 100 percent are outdoor enhancements.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Replacing your garage door, front door or vinyl siding are particularly great options for making your house more sellable and getting back what you put in,” Nolan adds. Remodeling’s report concurs: A garage door replacement, with a job cost expected at $4,302, boasts a recouped cost of 102.7 percent, slightly more than a steel front door replacement (100.9 percent ROI and $2,214 expected cost). Covering your house exterior with manufactured stone veneer can repay you at resale by 102.3 percent. Replacing siding pays off well too: 94.7 percent ROI for vinyl siding or 88.5 percent for fiber-cement siding.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Even “simple tasks like adding a fresh coat of paint on the exterior can boost the value of your home,” Lamont says.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Basement conversions</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Finishing your basement and making it habitable is another home-improvement project that can pay off. That’s because it adds precious living space (always an addition to home value) without adding to your home’s footprint. Averaging around $57, 500, a full basement redo can deliver as much as an 86 percent return on investment, according to the National Association of Realtors’ “2022 Remodeling Impact Report.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Basement conversions don’t always get you back what you invest. However, if you do it right, you can convert your basement in a way that will make your house sell in no time,” continues Nolan. “These days, with many people working from home, turning your basement into a home office, for example, can ensure your house is more attractive than without it.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"what-determines\">What determines if a renovation adds value?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Along with the type of remodeling job, several factors determine if home improvements will add value at resale:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Current real estate market trends</li><li>Your home’s location and neighborhood</li><li>The quality of work and materials used</li><li>Buyer preferences</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Consulting with a real estate agent before committing to a renovation project can be extremely beneficial,” Bittencourt notes. “Agents have valuable market knowledge and insights into what buyers in your area are looking for. They can provide guidance on which renovations and design choices are more likely to attract potential buyers and increase your property’s market value.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"renovations-that-might-decrease\">What home renovations might decrease your home value?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Not every remodeling project or home improvement will make your property appreciate. “An over-the-top renovation and highly personalized remodel will almost always decrease your home’s value,” warns Bittencourt — either because you’ve laid out too much money, inadvertently destroyed a valuable feature or simply because it turns buyers off.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Often, “potential homebuyers don’t want features that require ongoing maintenance, like in-ground pools and built-in electronics,” says Fisher. “Buyers also prefer homes with more bedrooms, so removing one bedroom to make another one bigger may end up decreasing your home’s value, rather than adding to it.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Aleks Grigoriev, co-founder of Priority Home Buyers in Las Vegas, says the following home renovations stand a good chance of decreasing your home’s value:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Lavish lighting fixtures</li><li>Converting a bedroom into a closet</li><li>Making highly personal customizations</li><li>Bright and bold paint colors</li><li>An extremely high-end kitchen</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Also: Buyers prize ingenuity — hey, look at how that closet fits in there! — but not too much originality. Hyper-personalized styles and details can take away from your home’s value, making it harder for prospective buyers to envision themselves in the space. It also creates an automatic to-do list of projects before the space can feel like home to a new owner.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you’re planning on staying in the home for several years to come, it’s fine to indulge your tastes and make rooms feel like you. But you may need to undo some of the work when it comes time to stage your home to sell.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How can you avoid renovations decreasing your home value?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can avoid decreasing your home value by carefully choosing projects, settling on those that have a track-record of reliably boosting curb appeal or that are likely to appeal to the broadest range of prospective buyers. And remember, the more customized your renovations are, the less likely it is that prospective buyers will like the work you’ve done.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It’s also a good idea to make sure the improvements you make are consistent in character with the rest of your home. And if the renovations will be obvious on the exterior, make sure any changes you make are also consistent with the surrounding neighborhood as well. As any Realtor would advise you, consider the comps: If every other home in the ‘hood has an in-ground swimming pool, your above-ground variety is going to look tacky.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Make changes that will modernize but aren’t too trendy, to ensure you don’t over-do, and inadvertently harm your property’s worth. “Pay attention to the most popular new appliances, materials and items that people are putting into their kitchens, for example, and stick to the basics in your bathroom so you don’t spend your money on unnecessary equipment,” advises Nolan.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"should-you\">Should you renovate your home based on your house value?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Unless you’re a professional house flipper, probably not. “Your primary goal should be to make your home a comfortable and functional space for you and your family,” says Grigoriev.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">That said, you should consider the home’s value before spending too much money on any changes: What you get back on renovations is somewhat linked to the home’s overall worth, and the value of other homes in your neighborhood. Beware of “overbuilding,” renovations that make a home a lot pricier than its neighbors. Improvements that bring your home’s value up to the average price in the neighborhood, on the other hand, may provide a better return.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Lastly, try to think long-term: The housing market is constantly changing, and your home’s value may not be the same six months or a year from now.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">The bottom line on home improvements and house value</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Increasing your home’s value doesn’t have to be your number one priority when remodeling or renovating. Homeowners considering major home improvements should think about their own comfort and needs first, and the value of the home second.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“However, if you’re planning to sell your home in the near future, it’s important to make some improvements that will appeal to buyers,” suggests Grigoriev.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Have realistic expectations. Real estate history shows that homeowners should not expect to recover all of their money when undertaking remodeling projects. While making a profit is certainly not unheard of, you shouldn’t count on it. It is simply one of many considerations to keep in mind.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“My advice is to plan carefully, understand the potential return on investment and align your renovations with your home’s overall style and your neighborhood,” Smolevskiy says. “Remember – it’s not just about making improvements, it’s about making smart and valuable investments.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/homeownership/home-improvements-add-the-most-value/#should-you\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Which home improvements add the most value?','','publish','closed','closed','','which-home-improvements-add-the-most-value','','','2023-07-30 12:01:08','2023-07-30 12:01:08','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3333',0,'post','',0),(3334,1,'2023-07-30 11:55:00','2023-07-30 11:55:00','','My-project-1-76','','inherit','closed','closed','','my-project-1-76','','','2023-07-30 11:55:00','2023-07-30 11:55:00','',3333,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-76.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3335,1,'2023-07-30 12:01:08','2023-07-30 12:01:08','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3334,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-76.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3334\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Homeowners often undertake remodeling projects with an ulterior motive. Sure, they want to enhance their living space; but frequently they hope the renovation or addition will boost their home’s value as well. After all, aren’t three bathrooms better than two? Who wouldn’t want a state-of-the-art kitchen, a swimming pool or a finished basement? And new exterior siding should make you the envy of the neighborhood, right?</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Misguided thinking. When it comes to adding value, not all home improvements are created equal. In fact, “some home projects can actually decrease your home value,” says Northwestern University data scientist Mischa Fisher, former chief economist at Angi, the contractor search service/house renovation site.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The return on investment that home improvements offer can vary significantly from over 100 percent to a mere 20 percent, depending on the specific type of project you take on. Fact is, very few renovations and remodels fully recoup their costs, or even most of their costs.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"home-improvements\">Do home improvements always add value to the house?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The short answer is no, home improvements do not always add value to your home. Even if they do, that’s not quite the same as you actually making a profit on the project, or even recouping your costs. There’s a big difference between adding value to your home and earning a return on your investment.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Some improvements might not add significant value because they are too personalized, going beyond the taste of the average buyer, or are not in line with the style and value of other homes in your neighborhood,” says Roman Smolevskiy, a general contractor and owner of A+ Construction &amp; Remodeling in Sacramento, Calif.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can look at a project’s returns in two ways: First, how the project raises the total resale or market value of your home. This is a nice way to see how your home’s worth has changed, compared to the money you spent on the project. It can be useful to know if you’re thinking of putting your house up for sale, are contemplating borrowing against it or just want a sense of its overall value — and your equity stake in it — when totaling up your assets.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Or, you can look at the project’s return on investment, or ROI. “This is a measure of how much the home’s value rises as a share of the project cost, typically expressed as a percentage of the total project cost,” Fisher explains. “For example, if a $4,000 garage door improvement adds $3,500 to the value of your home, you could say the project has an 88 percent ROI. This means you are able to recoup a large share of the project cost.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">The point is, don’t confuse a project’s return on investment percentage with the amount of profit — or the amount of increased home value. For example, the 2023 Cost vs Value Report done annually by Remodeling, an authoritative contracting industry trade journal, says replacing your old windows with new vinyl ones costs $20,091 and has an ROI of 68.5 percent. That means it bumps a home’s potential price tag up by $13,766 – it does not mean the entire value of your home increases by 68.5 percent. And you’ll notice that the $13,766 it ups your home’s worth by is much less than the $20,091 you spent on the windows.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"improvements-that-add-value\">Home improvements that add value to your home</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Some particular home improvements historically have been more valuable than others. Here are some that earn the biggest bang for your renovation buck, based on the latest intel from Remodeling’s 2023 Cost vs Value Report,  and the experts we talked to.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Kitchen renovations</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“The kitchen remains one of the most-used rooms in a home. Buyers often look for updated, modern kitchens, so a kitchen renovation may significantly increase your home’s appeal,” Smolevskiy explains.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Remodeling’s most recent Cost vs Value Report indicates that a minor kitchen remodel offers a good return: The ROI is 85.7 percent (up 71.2 percent last year) from based on an average job cost of $26,790 that adds a home resale value of $22,963. It involves mainly cosmetic changes to a “functional but dated” kitchen: replacing the floor, cabinet fronts, countertops and appliances with midrange-priced alternatives, and repainting the walls and ceiling.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">However, if you want to get a decent return on your kitchen renovation, keep costs low. Larger and more costly kitchen renos recoup less cash, Remodeling notes. A $77,939 major kitchen remodel, which involves adding new cabinets, an island, extra appliances and custom lighting, in addition to the above — has an ROI of 41.8 percent. And if you go with a really upscale remodel — all top-of-the-line, state-of-the art appliances, custom-built additions and high-end materials — the ROI drops to 31.7 percent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“High-end kitchen remodels can cost up to $150,000 but will likely only get about $50,000 in return,” Tom Nolan, founder of AllStar Home, a Raleigh, NC home improvement company, says. “A lot of this can come from over-engineering a kitchen with too many unique features that only a selected buyer will recognize.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Bathroom remodeling</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Much like the kitchen, bathrooms are frequently used [and] highly valued by homebuyers. An updated, stylish bathroom can greatly appeal to prospective purchasers,” Smolevskiy points out.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But a bathroom renovation‘s ROI often follows the same pattern as kitchen renovations.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“These are some of the most expensive remodel projects you can choose, but they rarely fetch more than $20,000 in value,” Nolan cautions. “Keeping a bathroom clean, organized and appealing is better than spending $10,000 on a computerized toilet – so get the value you want to see out of this project.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">According to the Remodeling report, a midrange-budget bath remodel, with an average price tag of $24,606, will yield an ROI of 66.7 percent. Basically, it involves replacing all the fixtures (tub, toilet, vanity) with fresher, modern versions. Try a more ambitious project that involves expanding the room, relocating fixtures, adding a walk-in shower — all to an estimated tune of $76,827 — your return on investment drops to only 36.7 percent.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Energy-efficient improvements</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Energy-efficient enhancements to your home are definitely in, and can make a big difference in resale value, as increasing numbers of buyers are asking about green features or clean power sources. “Upgrading to energy-efficient options can help lower utility bills and increase the overall sustainability of your home, which is an attractive feature for buyers,” says Augusto Bittencourt, a real estate salesperson with Compass in New York City.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Case in point: A HVAC conversion, which involves converting a traditional fossil-fuel-burning furnace to an electric heat pump for cooling and heating. While this can cost $17,747, on average, it could more than pay for itself — its ROI is estimated at 103.5 percent, in fact, topping Remodeling’s Cost vs Value list.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Equipping your home with a more energy-efficient HVAC system, upgrading your insulation or putting on a new roof will have a profound effect on your home’s value long-term,” says Calvin Lamont, co-host of HGTV’s <em>By It or Build It</em>. “And now is a great time to get more for your investment with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in effect. Every state is different, but with the new IRA, homeowners may be eligible for tax credits or rebates when purchasing energy-efficient appliances.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Outdoor enhancements</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In terms of investment returns, exterior remodels rule — and have done so for the last 30 years, Remodeling’s report notes. In fact, four of the top five jobs yielding ROIs above 100 percent are outdoor enhancements.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Replacing your garage door, front door or vinyl siding are particularly great options for making your house more sellable and getting back what you put in,” Nolan adds. Remodeling’s report concurs: A garage door replacement, with a job cost expected at $4,302, boasts a recouped cost of 102.7 percent, slightly more than a steel front door replacement (100.9 percent ROI and $2,214 expected cost). Covering your house exterior with manufactured stone veneer can repay you at resale by 102.3 percent. Replacing siding pays off well too: 94.7 percent ROI for vinyl siding or 88.5 percent for fiber-cement siding.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Even “simple tasks like adding a fresh coat of paint on the exterior can boost the value of your home,” Lamont says.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Basement conversions</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Finishing your basement and making it habitable is another home-improvement project that can pay off. That’s because it adds precious living space (always an addition to home value) without adding to your home’s footprint. Averaging around $57, 500, a full basement redo can deliver as much as an 86 percent return on investment, according to the National Association of Realtors’ “2022 Remodeling Impact Report.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Basement conversions don’t always get you back what you invest. However, if you do it right, you can convert your basement in a way that will make your house sell in no time,” continues Nolan. “These days, with many people working from home, turning your basement into a home office, for example, can ensure your house is more attractive than without it.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"what-determines\">What determines if a renovation adds value?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Along with the type of remodeling job, several factors determine if home improvements will add value at resale:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Current real estate market trends</li><li>Your home’s location and neighborhood</li><li>The quality of work and materials used</li><li>Buyer preferences</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Consulting with a real estate agent before committing to a renovation project can be extremely beneficial,” Bittencourt notes. “Agents have valuable market knowledge and insights into what buyers in your area are looking for. They can provide guidance on which renovations and design choices are more likely to attract potential buyers and increase your property’s market value.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"renovations-that-might-decrease\">What home renovations might decrease your home value?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Not every remodeling project or home improvement will make your property appreciate. “An over-the-top renovation and highly personalized remodel will almost always decrease your home’s value,” warns Bittencourt — either because you’ve laid out too much money, inadvertently destroyed a valuable feature or simply because it turns buyers off.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Often, “potential homebuyers don’t want features that require ongoing maintenance, like in-ground pools and built-in electronics,” says Fisher. “Buyers also prefer homes with more bedrooms, so removing one bedroom to make another one bigger may end up decreasing your home’s value, rather than adding to it.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Aleks Grigoriev, co-founder of Priority Home Buyers in Las Vegas, says the following home renovations stand a good chance of decreasing your home’s value:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Lavish lighting fixtures</li><li>Converting a bedroom into a closet</li><li>Making highly personal customizations</li><li>Bright and bold paint colors</li><li>An extremely high-end kitchen</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Also: Buyers prize ingenuity — hey, look at how that closet fits in there! — but not too much originality. Hyper-personalized styles and details can take away from your home’s value, making it harder for prospective buyers to envision themselves in the space. It also creates an automatic to-do list of projects before the space can feel like home to a new owner.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If you’re planning on staying in the home for several years to come, it’s fine to indulge your tastes and make rooms feel like you. But you may need to undo some of the work when it comes time to stage your home to sell.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">How can you avoid renovations decreasing your home value?</h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">You can avoid decreasing your home value by carefully choosing projects, settling on those that have a track-record of reliably boosting curb appeal or that are likely to appeal to the broadest range of prospective buyers. And remember, the more customized your renovations are, the less likely it is that prospective buyers will like the work you’ve done.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">It’s also a good idea to make sure the improvements you make are consistent in character with the rest of your home. And if the renovations will be obvious on the exterior, make sure any changes you make are also consistent with the surrounding neighborhood as well. As any Realtor would advise you, consider the comps: If every other home in the ‘hood has an in-ground swimming pool, your above-ground variety is going to look tacky.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Make changes that will modernize but aren’t too trendy, to ensure you don’t over-do, and inadvertently harm your property’s worth. “Pay attention to the most popular new appliances, materials and items that people are putting into their kitchens, for example, and stick to the basics in your bathroom so you don’t spend your money on unnecessary equipment,” advises Nolan.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\" id=\"should-you\">Should you renovate your home based on your house value?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Unless you’re a professional house flipper, probably not. “Your primary goal should be to make your home a comfortable and functional space for you and your family,” says Grigoriev.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">That said, you should consider the home’s value before spending too much money on any changes: What you get back on renovations is somewhat linked to the home’s overall worth, and the value of other homes in your neighborhood. Beware of “overbuilding,” renovations that make a home a lot pricier than its neighbors. Improvements that bring your home’s value up to the average price in the neighborhood, on the other hand, may provide a better return.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Lastly, try to think long-term: The housing market is constantly changing, and your home’s value may not be the same six months or a year from now.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">The bottom line on home improvements and house value</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Increasing your home’s value doesn’t have to be your number one priority when remodeling or renovating. Homeowners considering major home improvements should think about their own comfort and needs first, and the value of the home second.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“However, if you’re planning to sell your home in the near future, it’s important to make some improvements that will appeal to buyers,” suggests Grigoriev.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Have realistic expectations. Real estate history shows that homeowners should not expect to recover all of their money when undertaking remodeling projects. While making a profit is certainly not unheard of, you shouldn’t count on it. It is simply one of many considerations to keep in mind.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“My advice is to plan carefully, understand the potential return on investment and align your renovations with your home’s overall style and your neighborhood,” Smolevskiy says. “Remember – it’s not just about making improvements, it’s about making smart and valuable investments.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.bankrate.com/homeownership/home-improvements-add-the-most-value/#should-you\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','Which home improvements add the most value?','','inherit','closed','closed','','3333-revision-v1','','','2023-07-30 12:01:08','2023-07-30 12:01:08','',3333,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3335',0,'revision','',0),(3336,1,'2023-07-30 12:06:07','2023-07-30 12:06:07','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3337,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-62.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3337\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Small businesses are always very sensitive to any changes in legislation and the economic situation in the country. Especially when taxes go up.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">What can be done to keep the business successful and not have to lay off employees? Use coworking spaces. Someone transfers part of the team to coworking, while others prefer to abandon the office altogether. An alternative to the traditional office is regular team meetings in coworking spaces and the use of remote collaboration software.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But how exactly do coworking spaces cut business costs? We’ll tell you below.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Versatility of Use</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Find coworking spaces that have many different spaces: meeting rooms, premium conference rooms, and halls for celebrations. To rent them for a fee for a few hours is much easier and faster than renting a separate conference room.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Many coworking spaces allow participants to attend events including networking meetings, conferences, and parties. This is a fantastic free approach to amuse staff members and strengthen company culture.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Rent</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Places in a coworking space are less expensive to rent than areas in a business center (assuming similar-class premises). Thus, the cost of an annual lease of a standard office of 56 sq m will cost more than 4 workplaces in a flexible office.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Also, the location of the office in the center greatly increases the cost of rent, mainly companies are forced to look for something in the city. Coworkings are usually located in the center or not far from it. Coworkers are usually cheap, but if you’re looking for an even cheaper option, consider office spaces with a postal address and local telephone number to complement your home office or as the to-go-to-place for meetings.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Office Furniture</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Aside from rent, businesses must spend money on workplace design, such as purchasing ergonomic furniture, appliances, and current equipment. Such arrangements can be highly expensive depending on the size and demands of the firm – simply consider the cost of equipment for the development team. This cost can be minimized by renting space in a flexible office: after all, everything you need for work is already there.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Office Maintenance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Buying furniture and equipment is a one-time cost, but when renting an office, there are fixed maintenance costs: cleaning, utility bills, kitchen maintenance, reception, security, and so on. In coworking spaces, everything is already included in the tariff. And it is precisely due to the absence of these costs that the savings become very tangible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Office Manager</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Every coworking space has a dedicated office manager that handles every domestic problem, from equipment purchases to small maintenance. When a business leases space in a coworking facility, it may save money on the upkeep of an office manager, but if it had its own office, it would have to handle all of this on its own. This naturally follows from the preceding sentence because every office requires a groundskeeper.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Additionally, management is no longer allowed to squander their time on menial tasks like approving office supplies and paying utility bills. You already know that time equals money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Flexibility for Change</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Coworking spaces provide significant flexibility. You can rent workspaces to employees all the time or only during specific hours. You can utilize hotdesking, which is a fee charged when one workspace falls on 2-3 employees. Conference rooms are only priced for the hours that they are utilized, not as a permanent space. If the number of employees has been drastically reduced for one cause or another, the question of giving up extra positions can be settled in a matter of hours. However, in the case of offices, early termination of the lease agreement may result in fines, and the adjustment of the terms may take several days to a month. The expansion of the staff will require either redevelopment or the lease of additional premises.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Employee Productivity</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">According to a Deskmag survey, 71% of respondents describe their focus while working in a flexible workplace as good, citing increased inspiration and self-confidence.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">And as we know, the more productive employees are the higher the company’s income. A coworking space is unquestionably superior to working from home. However, even when compared to a traditional office, coworking can increase productivity: this is facilitated by the correct design, the convenience of the premises, the availability of everything needed for the work at hand, and the opportunity to take a breather in the recreation areas or sit in the large bright kitchen. Not every firm can afford to hire a separate office with all of this. Furthermore, the environment itself enhances efficiency: it’s difficult to stay away when everyone around you is working with concentration, life is in full swing in the discussions, and new initiatives are being discussed in the hallways.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Wrap up</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Cutting business expenses is a good strategy not only in difficult times but always. And the savings with the help of renting a coworking space is obvious.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">All over the world, coworking spaces are created not according to the principle of Noah’s Ark, but in areas of activity – from technology to design, since each specialization requires its own technology. They are flexible in payment, super functional, and help build business partnerships.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Summing up, coworking can be a great alternative to those who, for some reason, cannot work from home: freelancers and owners of small startups; those who value an informal atmosphere, expanding the community and the opportunity to work at any convenient time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.the-next-tech.com/business/how-can-coworking-spaces-cut-business-costs/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How Can Coworking Spaces Cut Business Costs?','','publish','closed','closed','','how-can-coworking-spaces-cut-business-costs','','','2023-07-30 12:06:07','2023-07-30 12:06:07','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3336',0,'post','',0),(3337,1,'2023-07-30 12:02:23','2023-07-30 12:02:23','','My-project-1-62','','inherit','closed','closed','','my-project-1-62','','','2023-07-30 12:02:23','2023-07-30 12:02:23','',3336,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-62.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3338,1,'2023-07-30 12:06:07','2023-07-30 12:06:07','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3337,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-62.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3337\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Small businesses are always very sensitive to any changes in legislation and the economic situation in the country. Especially when taxes go up.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">What can be done to keep the business successful and not have to lay off employees? Use coworking spaces. Someone transfers part of the team to coworking, while others prefer to abandon the office altogether. An alternative to the traditional office is regular team meetings in coworking spaces and the use of remote collaboration software.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But how exactly do coworking spaces cut business costs? We’ll tell you below.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Versatility of Use</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Find coworking spaces that have many different spaces: meeting rooms, premium conference rooms, and halls for celebrations. To rent them for a fee for a few hours is much easier and faster than renting a separate conference room.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Many coworking spaces allow participants to attend events including networking meetings, conferences, and parties. This is a fantastic free approach to amuse staff members and strengthen company culture.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Rent</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Places in a coworking space are less expensive to rent than areas in a business center (assuming similar-class premises). Thus, the cost of an annual lease of a standard office of 56 sq m will cost more than 4 workplaces in a flexible office.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Also, the location of the office in the center greatly increases the cost of rent, mainly companies are forced to look for something in the city. Coworkings are usually located in the center or not far from it. Coworkers are usually cheap, but if you’re looking for an even cheaper option, consider office spaces with a postal address and local telephone number to complement your home office or as the to-go-to-place for meetings.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Office Furniture</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Aside from rent, businesses must spend money on workplace design, such as purchasing ergonomic furniture, appliances, and current equipment. Such arrangements can be highly expensive depending on the size and demands of the firm – simply consider the cost of equipment for the development team. This cost can be minimized by renting space in a flexible office: after all, everything you need for work is already there.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Office Maintenance</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Buying furniture and equipment is a one-time cost, but when renting an office, there are fixed maintenance costs: cleaning, utility bills, kitchen maintenance, reception, security, and so on. In coworking spaces, everything is already included in the tariff. And it is precisely due to the absence of these costs that the savings become very tangible.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Office Manager</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Every coworking space has a dedicated office manager that handles every domestic problem, from equipment purchases to small maintenance. When a business leases space in a coworking facility, it may save money on the upkeep of an office manager, but if it had its own office, it would have to handle all of this on its own. This naturally follows from the preceding sentence because every office requires a groundskeeper.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Additionally, management is no longer allowed to squander their time on menial tasks like approving office supplies and paying utility bills. You already know that time equals money.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Flexibility for Change</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Coworking spaces provide significant flexibility. You can rent workspaces to employees all the time or only during specific hours. You can utilize hotdesking, which is a fee charged when one workspace falls on 2-3 employees. Conference rooms are only priced for the hours that they are utilized, not as a permanent space. If the number of employees has been drastically reduced for one cause or another, the question of giving up extra positions can be settled in a matter of hours. However, in the case of offices, early termination of the lease agreement may result in fines, and the adjustment of the terms may take several days to a month. The expansion of the staff will require either redevelopment or the lease of additional premises.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Employee Productivity</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">According to a Deskmag survey, 71% of respondents describe their focus while working in a flexible workplace as good, citing increased inspiration and self-confidence.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">And as we know, the more productive employees are the higher the company’s income. A coworking space is unquestionably superior to working from home. However, even when compared to a traditional office, coworking can increase productivity: this is facilitated by the correct design, the convenience of the premises, the availability of everything needed for the work at hand, and the opportunity to take a breather in the recreation areas or sit in the large bright kitchen. Not every firm can afford to hire a separate office with all of this. Furthermore, the environment itself enhances efficiency: it’s difficult to stay away when everyone around you is working with concentration, life is in full swing in the discussions, and new initiatives are being discussed in the hallways.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Wrap up</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Cutting business expenses is a good strategy not only in difficult times but always. And the savings with the help of renting a coworking space is obvious.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">All over the world, coworking spaces are created not according to the principle of Noah’s Ark, but in areas of activity – from technology to design, since each specialization requires its own technology. They are flexible in payment, super functional, and help build business partnerships.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Summing up, coworking can be a great alternative to those who, for some reason, cannot work from home: freelancers and owners of small startups; those who value an informal atmosphere, expanding the community and the opportunity to work at any convenient time.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.the-next-tech.com/business/how-can-coworking-spaces-cut-business-costs/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How Can Coworking Spaces Cut Business Costs?','','inherit','closed','closed','','3336-revision-v1','','','2023-07-30 12:06:07','2023-07-30 12:06:07','',3336,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3338',0,'revision','',0),(3339,1,'2023-07-30 12:11:06','2023-07-30 12:11:06','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3340,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-61.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3340\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">How can I safely download from the internet? In the internet age, we are constantly downloading files from the web whether we realize it or not.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Everything from updates for our computer programs to photos and videos on social media is all downloaded directly from the internet. However, not all downloads are safe.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Internet users asked us, “how can I safely download anything?” This article will give people tips on how to download safely everything from the internet to avoid any potential viruses or malware.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One of the best ways to download any files without compromising privacy is by using a free VPN. People can connect to VPN servers and change their location to avoid spying eyes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">So, if you’re also downloading files from the internet regularly and want to know, “How do I download risky files safely?” then keep reading this guide!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Why do People Need to Take Security Measurements While Downloading Files From the Web?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In recent years, downloading files from the web has become increasingly popular. However, many people are unaware of the potential security risks involved in doing so.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here we will look at a couple of reasons why taking security measures while downloading files from the web is essential.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One of the main reasons why people need to take security measures while downloading files from the web is to protect their computers from viruses and malware. When users download a file from an untrustworthy source, they risk being infected with a virus or other malicious software. This could damage their computers or put their personal information at risk.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another reason is to protect yourself from identity theft. If you download a file containing personal information, such as your name or address, someone could use it for identity theft.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">5 Tips for Downloading Files Safely From the Internet:</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Use Trustworthy Sites Only:</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When downloading files from the internet, it is essential only to use trustworthy sites. This will help ensure that the file is safe to download and free of malware.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Below are a couple of tips for finding reliable sites for downloading files:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Make sure the site has a good reputation.</li><li>Look for sites that trusted sources have recommended.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Use VPN:</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One of the best ways to protect yourself when downloading files from the internet is to use a VPN. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet connection and allows you to browse the web anonymously. This means that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and government agencies can’t track what you’re doing online.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another benefit of using a VPN is that it can help people bypass geo-restrictions. For example, if you want to download a file that’s only available in the United States, you can connect to a VPN server in the US and download the file.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">We recommend people download VPN as it is the most reliable VPN right now. You can go right here if you want to learn more about it! VPN has many excellent features, including double VPN, net guard, no-log policy, killswitch, and many others.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Check Website Reviews:</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When downloading files from the internet, it is important to check website reviews to ensure that the site is safe. There are a few things to look for when checking website reviews.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>First, check to see if a trusted source has reviewed the site. If the site has been reviewed by a reputable source, such as CNET or TechRadar, it is likely safe to download.</li><li>Second, read through the reviews to see if any reports of viruses or malware are associated with the site. If there have been no reports of viruses or malware, then the site is likely safe to download from.</li><li>Last but not least, check the date of the last review. If the last review was more than six months ago, then new security risks may have arisen since then. In this case, proceed with caution when downloading from the site.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Scan Files:</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">People can protect themselves and their computers by scanning files for viruses before and after downloading them.<br>Here are a few tips for scanning files for viruses:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Use a reputable antivirus program. There are many free and paid antivirus programs available. Do some research to find one that best suits your needs.</li><li>Update your antivirus program regularly. Antivirus programs are constantly evolving to keep up with new threats, so it’s essential to ensure you have the latest version.</li><li>Scan files before opening them. Once a file is downloaded, scan it before opening it. This will help prevent any malicious code from being executed on your computer.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Double-Check the Web Address:</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When you’re about to download a file from the internet, it’s essential to take a moment to double-check the web address. This will help ensure that you download the file from a safe and reputable site.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are a few things to look for:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>The web address should start with “HTTPS://” rather than just “HTTP://.” The “s” stands for “secure.”</li><li>The web address should have a green lock icon next to it. This indicates that the site is using SSL encryption to protect your information.</li><li>The web address should match the site’s name. For example, if you’re trying to purchase from Amazon, the web address should say “amazon.com” rather than something like “amaz0n.com.”</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In conclusion, following these tips will help people to download everything from the internet safely. The most important among all the tips is to use a reliable VPN like VPN, as it’ll not only hide your personal information but also be helpful in unblocking blocked content.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.the-next-tech.com/security/how-to-safely-download-everything-from-the-internet/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How To Safely Download Everything From The Internet','','publish','closed','closed','','how-to-safely-download-everything-from-the-internet','','','2023-07-30 12:11:06','2023-07-30 12:11:06','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3339',0,'post','',0),(3340,1,'2023-07-30 12:06:59','2023-07-30 12:06:59','','My-project-1-61','','inherit','closed','closed','','my-project-1-61','','','2023-07-30 12:06:59','2023-07-30 12:06:59','',3339,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-61.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3341,1,'2023-07-30 12:11:06','2023-07-30 12:11:06','<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3340,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-61.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3340\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">How can I safely download from the internet? In the internet age, we are constantly downloading files from the web whether we realize it or not.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Everything from updates for our computer programs to photos and videos on social media is all downloaded directly from the internet. However, not all downloads are safe.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Internet users asked us, “how can I safely download anything?” This article will give people tips on how to download safely everything from the internet to avoid any potential viruses or malware.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One of the best ways to download any files without compromising privacy is by using a free VPN. People can connect to VPN servers and change their location to avoid spying eyes.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">So, if you’re also downloading files from the internet regularly and want to know, “How do I download risky files safely?” then keep reading this guide!</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Why do People Need to Take Security Measurements While Downloading Files From the Web?</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In recent years, downloading files from the web has become increasingly popular. However, many people are unaware of the potential security risks involved in doing so.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here we will look at a couple of reasons why taking security measures while downloading files from the web is essential.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One of the main reasons why people need to take security measures while downloading files from the web is to protect their computers from viruses and malware. When users download a file from an untrustworthy source, they risk being infected with a virus or other malicious software. This could damage their computers or put their personal information at risk.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another reason is to protect yourself from identity theft. If you download a file containing personal information, such as your name or address, someone could use it for identity theft.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">5 Tips for Downloading Files Safely From the Internet:</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Use Trustworthy Sites Only:</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When downloading files from the internet, it is essential only to use trustworthy sites. This will help ensure that the file is safe to download and free of malware.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Below are a couple of tips for finding reliable sites for downloading files:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Make sure the site has a good reputation.</li><li>Look for sites that trusted sources have recommended.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Use VPN:</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One of the best ways to protect yourself when downloading files from the internet is to use a VPN. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet connection and allows you to browse the web anonymously. This means that your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and government agencies can’t track what you’re doing online.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Another benefit of using a VPN is that it can help people bypass geo-restrictions. For example, if you want to download a file that’s only available in the United States, you can connect to a VPN server in the US and download the file.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">We recommend people download VPN as it is the most reliable VPN right now. You can go right here if you want to learn more about it! VPN has many excellent features, including double VPN, net guard, no-log policy, killswitch, and many others.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Check Website Reviews:</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When downloading files from the internet, it is important to check website reviews to ensure that the site is safe. There are a few things to look for when checking website reviews.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>First, check to see if a trusted source has reviewed the site. If the site has been reviewed by a reputable source, such as CNET or TechRadar, it is likely safe to download.</li><li>Second, read through the reviews to see if any reports of viruses or malware are associated with the site. If there have been no reports of viruses or malware, then the site is likely safe to download from.</li><li>Last but not least, check the date of the last review. If the last review was more than six months ago, then new security risks may have arisen since then. In this case, proceed with caution when downloading from the site.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Scan Files:</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">People can protect themselves and their computers by scanning files for viruses before and after downloading them.<br>Here are a few tips for scanning files for viruses:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>Use a reputable antivirus program. There are many free and paid antivirus programs available. Do some research to find one that best suits your needs.</li><li>Update your antivirus program regularly. Antivirus programs are constantly evolving to keep up with new threats, so it’s essential to ensure you have the latest version.</li><li>Scan files before opening them. Once a file is downloaded, scan it before opening it. This will help prevent any malicious code from being executed on your computer.</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3,\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<h3 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Double-Check the Web Address:</strong></h3>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">When you’re about to download a file from the internet, it’s essential to take a moment to double-check the web address. This will help ensure that you download the file from a safe and reputable site.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here are a few things to look for:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li>The web address should start with “HTTPS://” rather than just “HTTP://.” The “s” stands for “secure.”</li><li>The web address should have a green lock icon next to it. This indicates that the site is using SSL encryption to protect your information.</li><li>The web address should match the site’s name. For example, if you’re trying to purchase from Amazon, the web address should say “amazon.com” rather than something like “amaz0n.com.”</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In conclusion, following these tips will help people to download everything from the internet safely. The most important among all the tips is to use a reliable VPN like VPN, as it’ll not only hide your personal information but also be helpful in unblocking blocked content.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.the-next-tech.com/security/how-to-safely-download-everything-from-the-internet/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How To Safely Download Everything From The Internet','','inherit','closed','closed','','3339-revision-v1','','','2023-07-30 12:11:06','2023-07-30 12:11:06','',3339,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3341',0,'revision','',0),(3342,1,'2023-07-30 12:19:22','2023-07-30 12:19:22','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Pollen may be hanging around almost all year, but these steps can keep you comfortable.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3343,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-66.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3343\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Think your allergies are getting worse? If it seems like your itchy eyes, runny nose, and congestion are more severe and last for more days, it’s probably not your imagination. Thanks to climate change, there’s a lot more pollen in the air these days, and it’s hanging around for a longer time. That’s a problem for a lot of people: About 26 percent of adults and 19 percent of children have seasonal allergies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Research has found that 80 percent of those with seasonal allergies report moderate-to-severe symptoms that significantly impair their quality of life.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But thanks to newer treatments and ongoing research, doctors have a variety of effective ways to help subdue symptoms. Today’s medications “are worlds apart from what we had 40 years ago,” says Richard Lockey, MD, director of the division of allergy and immunology at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. “There’s no reason anyone now needs to suffer unnecessarily—we can usually find some sort of treatment that works for everyone.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here’s what to know about the latest treatment recommendations and what you can do to keep your seasonal allergy symptoms to a minimum.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Pollen-Proof Your Environment</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One of the most effective strategies is also one of the most straightforward: reducing your exposure to allergens. So monitor local pollen counts and try to stay indoors between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. on days when counts are highest, recommends the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Other smart steps:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Take a bedtime shower. </strong>This helps wash off pollen that has collected on your skin and hair during the day so that you’re not literally sleeping with allergens.</li><li><strong>Use an over-the-counter (OTC) saline nasal spray. </strong>This helps clear a clogged-up nose and wash out pollen and other allergens that may have accumulated there. You can use these products as often as you want, says Sandra Hong, MD, an allergist at the Cleveland Clinic, but it’s a particularly good idea after you’ve been outdoors and before bed. (Skip nasal decongestant sprays, or use them only for a couple of days, because they can cause rebound congestion.)</li><li><strong>Banish Buddy from the bedroom. </strong>Even if you’re not allergic to your cat or dog, keep pets off your bed—and if possible, out of the room entirely—if they spend any time outdoors. Their fur can harbor pollen.</li><li><strong>Keep your lawn tidy. </strong>Short grass is less likely to release pollen than taller grass, so mow regularly. If possible, have someone else mow it. If you do it yourself, wear a face mask (like an N-95 filter mask) and sunglasses to prevent pollen from blowing into your nose, mouth, and eyes. Regularly clean your gutters and downspouts, too.</li><li><strong>Run the air conditioner. </strong>You may be tempted to throw your windows open, but those lovely breezes can carry pollen into your home. “You want to keep doors and windows closed, so no pollen can get in,” Lockey says. An air purifier might help, too: See our air purifier ratings and buying guide. And check out a couple of our highly rated air purifiers:</li><li><strong>Vacuum regularly. </strong>This can help pick up stray pollen particles that float into your home, as well as allergens such as pet dander and dust mites. CR’s tests found that some vacuums with regular filters sucked up similar amounts of dander and dust as those with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and some were just as good at keeping these small particles from blowing back into the air. Have someone else do your vacuuming, and avoid bagless vacuums, which can stir up dust when you empty them. Members can check out our full vacuum ratings. And you can check a couple of our highly rated vacuums:</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Take the Right Meds at the Right Time</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Allergen avoidance techniques might not always be enough. Here’s the rundown on common medications and when it’s appropriate to consider them.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Steroid nasal sprays:</strong>&nbsp;If allergen avoidance isn’t sufficient, a good place to start is to consider a steroid nasal spray such as fluticasone (Flonase), triamcinolone (Nasacort), or mometasone (Nasonex)—all available over the counter and also in generic form. Daily use throughout the allergy season can help reduce nasal inflammation and combat a runny or stuffy nose, says Amber Luong, MD, a professor of allergy medicine with the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. But this is best started a week or two in advance of the season because it can take time to begin working, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &amp; Immunology. (If you have glaucoma, talk to your ophthalmologist first, because these medications may increase ocular pressure.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Oral antihistamines:&nbsp;</strong>Rita Kachru, MD, an allergist and immunologist with UCLA Health, recommends OTC oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec and generic), loratadine (Claritin and generic), and fexofenadine (Allegra and generic). These tend to cause less drowsiness than the older, short-acting products such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl and generic). Still, they can lead to sleepiness in older adults, so if you’re older you may want to take smaller-than-normal doses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Though the newer antihistamines all appear to be equally safe and effective, some people may respond better to one than another. So if, for example, cetirizine doesn’t seem to help, try fexofenadine or loratadine, Hong says.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Note that you can also take an OTC oral antihistamine for a week or so while you wait for a steroid nasal spray to begin working, but after that there’s little reason to regularly take both an oral antihistamine and a steroid nasal spray.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Research shows that it isn’t any more effective than using a steroid spray alone,” says Mark Dykewicz, MD, director of the allergy &amp; immunology fellowship program at St. Louis University in Missouri and an author of practice guidelines for the treatment of seasonal allergies published in 2017.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Antihistamine eye drops:&nbsp;</strong>For itchy, watery eyes, OTC antihistamine eye drops such as ketotifen (Alaway) or olopatadine (Pataday) can help— and quickly—says Donald J. Dvorin, MD, an allergist with The Allergy and Asthma Doctors in Mount Laurel, N.J.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Antihistamine nasal sprays:</strong><strong>&nbsp;I</strong>f you’ve been faithfully using a nasal steroid for a couple of weeks and you’re still uncomfortable, the guidelines recommend adding in a daily prescription nasal antihistamine spray, such as azelastine (Astelin, Astepro, and generic) or olopatadine (Patanase and generic).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“A nasal antihistamine seems much more effective than taking a pill by mouth—it may be that since it goes directly into the nasal passages, the nose gets a much higher concentrated dose,” Lockey explains.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Reduce Your Reaction to Allergens</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Still not finding sufficient relief from seasonal allergy symptoms, and/or have year-round allergies that are very bothersome? You might find immunotherapy useful.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This prescription treatment involves exposing you to ever-larger amounts of allergens, gradually increasing your tolerance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Traditional immunotherapy is delivered via regular shots—often for three to five years—and can help with seasonal and year-round allergens. “Over 80 percent of the time, people experience relief,” Hong says. The shots carry a small risk of a severe allergic reaction, so you’ll need to have them in a doctor’s office.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If your seasonal allergies are to grasses and/or you’re allergic to dust mites, you might look into a newer prescription option: sublingual immunotherapy, or SLIT. Here, you typically place a dissolvable tablet containing purified extracts of allergens under your tongue.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Currently, four treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration are available: Odactra, for house dust mite allergies; Oralair, for five different grass pollens; Grastek, for Timothy grass allergies; and Ragwitek, for ragweed allergies.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“This is a really good option for people who are allergic to these types of pollen but aren’t seeing improvement on nasal and antihistamine sprays, or develop other complications from these allergies, such as sinus infections or asthma,” Hong says.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/drug-guide/sublingual-immunotherapy-slit-tablet\" target=\"_blank\"></a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For grass and ragweed, you’ll need to begin treatment about three months before these allergens pop up. If you’re using them to treat dust mite allergy, you’ll stay on them year-round. SLIT may cause mild side effects, such as itchy or irritated mouth and throat, and nausea or abdominal discomfort. Severe reactions appear to be quite rare.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/health/allergy/how-to-ease-seasonal-allergy-symptoms-a8182165060/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to Ease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms','','publish','closed','closed','','how-to-ease-seasonal-allergy-symptoms','','','2023-07-30 12:19:22','2023-07-30 12:19:22','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3342',0,'post','',0),(3343,1,'2023-07-30 12:15:09','2023-07-30 12:15:09','','My-project-1-66','','inherit','closed','closed','','my-project-1-66','','','2023-07-30 12:15:09','2023-07-30 12:15:09','',3342,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-66.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3344,1,'2023-07-30 12:19:22','2023-07-30 12:19:22','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Pollen may be hanging around almost all year, but these steps can keep you comfortable.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3343,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-66.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3343\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Think your allergies are getting worse? If it seems like your itchy eyes, runny nose, and congestion are more severe and last for more days, it’s probably not your imagination. Thanks to climate change, there’s a lot more pollen in the air these days, and it’s hanging around for a longer time. That’s a problem for a lot of people: About 26 percent of adults and 19 percent of children have seasonal allergies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Research has found that 80 percent of those with seasonal allergies report moderate-to-severe symptoms that significantly impair their quality of life.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But thanks to newer treatments and ongoing research, doctors have a variety of effective ways to help subdue symptoms. Today’s medications “are worlds apart from what we had 40 years ago,” says Richard Lockey, MD, director of the division of allergy and immunology at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. “There’s no reason anyone now needs to suffer unnecessarily—we can usually find some sort of treatment that works for everyone.”</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here’s what to know about the latest treatment recommendations and what you can do to keep your seasonal allergy symptoms to a minimum.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Pollen-Proof Your Environment</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">One of the most effective strategies is also one of the most straightforward: reducing your exposure to allergens. So monitor local pollen counts and try to stay indoors between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. on days when counts are highest, recommends the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Other smart steps:</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><li><strong>Take a bedtime shower. </strong>This helps wash off pollen that has collected on your skin and hair during the day so that you’re not literally sleeping with allergens.</li><li><strong>Use an over-the-counter (OTC) saline nasal spray. </strong>This helps clear a clogged-up nose and wash out pollen and other allergens that may have accumulated there. You can use these products as often as you want, says Sandra Hong, MD, an allergist at the Cleveland Clinic, but it’s a particularly good idea after you’ve been outdoors and before bed. (Skip nasal decongestant sprays, or use them only for a couple of days, because they can cause rebound congestion.)</li><li><strong>Banish Buddy from the bedroom. </strong>Even if you’re not allergic to your cat or dog, keep pets off your bed—and if possible, out of the room entirely—if they spend any time outdoors. Their fur can harbor pollen.</li><li><strong>Keep your lawn tidy. </strong>Short grass is less likely to release pollen than taller grass, so mow regularly. If possible, have someone else mow it. If you do it yourself, wear a face mask (like an N-95 filter mask) and sunglasses to prevent pollen from blowing into your nose, mouth, and eyes. Regularly clean your gutters and downspouts, too.</li><li><strong>Run the air conditioner. </strong>You may be tempted to throw your windows open, but those lovely breezes can carry pollen into your home. “You want to keep doors and windows closed, so no pollen can get in,” Lockey says. An air purifier might help, too: See our air purifier ratings and buying guide. And check out a couple of our highly rated air purifiers:</li><li><strong>Vacuum regularly. </strong>This can help pick up stray pollen particles that float into your home, as well as allergens such as pet dander and dust mites. CR’s tests found that some vacuums with regular filters sucked up similar amounts of dander and dust as those with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and some were just as good at keeping these small particles from blowing back into the air. Have someone else do your vacuuming, and avoid bagless vacuums, which can stir up dust when you empty them. Members can check out our full vacuum ratings. And you can check a couple of our highly rated vacuums:</li></ul>\n<!-- /wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Take the Right Meds at the Right Time</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Allergen avoidance techniques might not always be enough. Here’s the rundown on common medications and when it’s appropriate to consider them.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Steroid nasal sprays:</strong>&nbsp;If allergen avoidance isn’t sufficient, a good place to start is to consider a steroid nasal spray such as fluticasone (Flonase), triamcinolone (Nasacort), or mometasone (Nasonex)—all available over the counter and also in generic form. Daily use throughout the allergy season can help reduce nasal inflammation and combat a runny or stuffy nose, says Amber Luong, MD, a professor of allergy medicine with the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. But this is best started a week or two in advance of the season because it can take time to begin working, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &amp; Immunology. (If you have glaucoma, talk to your ophthalmologist first, because these medications may increase ocular pressure.)</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Oral antihistamines:&nbsp;</strong>Rita Kachru, MD, an allergist and immunologist with UCLA Health, recommends OTC oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec and generic), loratadine (Claritin and generic), and fexofenadine (Allegra and generic). These tend to cause less drowsiness than the older, short-acting products such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl and generic). Still, they can lead to sleepiness in older adults, so if you’re older you may want to take smaller-than-normal doses.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Though the newer antihistamines all appear to be equally safe and effective, some people may respond better to one than another. So if, for example, cetirizine doesn’t seem to help, try fexofenadine or loratadine, Hong says.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Note that you can also take an OTC oral antihistamine for a week or so while you wait for a steroid nasal spray to begin working, but after that there’s little reason to regularly take both an oral antihistamine and a steroid nasal spray.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“Research shows that it isn’t any more effective than using a steroid spray alone,” says Mark Dykewicz, MD, director of the allergy &amp; immunology fellowship program at St. Louis University in Missouri and an author of practice guidelines for the treatment of seasonal allergies published in 2017.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Antihistamine eye drops:&nbsp;</strong>For itchy, watery eyes, OTC antihistamine eye drops such as ketotifen (Alaway) or olopatadine (Pataday) can help— and quickly—says Donald J. Dvorin, MD, an allergist with The Allergy and Asthma Doctors in Mount Laurel, N.J.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Antihistamine nasal sprays:</strong><strong>&nbsp;I</strong>f you’ve been faithfully using a nasal steroid for a couple of weeks and you’re still uncomfortable, the guidelines recommend adding in a daily prescription nasal antihistamine spray, such as azelastine (Astelin, Astepro, and generic) or olopatadine (Patanase and generic).</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“A nasal antihistamine seems much more effective than taking a pill by mouth—it may be that since it goes directly into the nasal passages, the nose gets a much higher concentrated dose,” Lockey explains.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Reduce Your Reaction to Allergens</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Still not finding sufficient relief from seasonal allergy symptoms, and/or have year-round allergies that are very bothersome? You might find immunotherapy useful.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This prescription treatment involves exposing you to ever-larger amounts of allergens, gradually increasing your tolerance.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Traditional immunotherapy is delivered via regular shots—often for three to five years—and can help with seasonal and year-round allergens. “Over 80 percent of the time, people experience relief,” Hong says. The shots carry a small risk of a severe allergic reaction, so you’ll need to have them in a doctor’s office.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If your seasonal allergies are to grasses and/or you’re allergic to dust mites, you might look into a newer prescription option: sublingual immunotherapy, or SLIT. Here, you typically place a dissolvable tablet containing purified extracts of allergens under your tongue.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Currently, four treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration are available: Odactra, for house dust mite allergies; Oralair, for five different grass pollens; Grastek, for Timothy grass allergies; and Ragwitek, for ragweed allergies.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">“This is a really good option for people who are allergic to these types of pollen but aren’t seeing improvement on nasal and antihistamine sprays, or develop other complications from these allergies, such as sinus infections or asthma,” Hong says.<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/drug-guide/sublingual-immunotherapy-slit-tablet\" target=\"_blank\"></a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">For grass and ragweed, you’ll need to begin treatment about three months before these allergens pop up. If you’re using them to treat dust mite allergy, you’ll stay on them year-round. SLIT may cause mild side effects, such as itchy or irritated mouth and throat, and nausea or abdominal discomfort. Severe reactions appear to be quite rare.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/health/allergy/how-to-ease-seasonal-allergy-symptoms-a8182165060/\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to Ease Seasonal Allergy Symptoms','','inherit','closed','closed','','3342-revision-v1','','','2023-07-30 12:19:22','2023-07-30 12:19:22','',3342,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3344',0,'revision','',0),(3345,1,'2023-07-30 13:07:14','2023-07-30 13:07:14','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A multipronged attack can bring back the freshness.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3346,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-67.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3346\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Rank refrigerator smells take many forms. They might emanate from the quart of milk you didn\'t toss before leaving on vacation or some hidden-away deviled eggs. Ever forget &nbsp;a potato at the bottom of the vegetable bin? Worse than you can imagine. Some odors are more offensive than others, naturally, but it\'s never a good idea to let them persist because they can permeate every inch of the fridge right down to the mechanicals and can be difficult to remove.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But with a little patience and perseverance you can stanch the stench. Here\'s a step-by-step guide.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Step 1: Take Everything Out</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Even if you\'ve identified the offending item, you need to empty the entire contents of the refrigerator and freezer. If you have a second fridge, stash perishables there. If the odor is the result of a power outage, don\'t take any chances by hanging onto food that may have spoiled. A refrigerator will keep food at safe temperatures for about 4 hours, if it\'s left unopened, according to the USDA\'s Food Safety and Inspection Services. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Step 2: Handwash Bins and Shelves</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Take out the shelves, bins, crisper drawers, ice trays, and any other loose components and wash them in the sink with hot, soapy water. For particularly pervasive refrigerator smells, mix up a sanitizing solution of 1 tablespoon liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water and use it to wipe the bins and shelves down; then rinse in plain water and air dry. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Step 3: Deodorize the Interior</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Now you\'re ready to wash the inside of the refrigerator. For this, our experts recommend a solution of 1 cup baking soda per gallon of water. Wipe down the interior with a sponge soaked in the solution. For caked-on food, dip a damp sponge directly in baking powder and apply a little elbow grease. Stay away from abrasive cleaners and pads, which can scratch the interior of the refrigerator. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Step 4: Air it Out</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here\'s where the patience piece comes in. For best results, you need to unplug the refrigerator, leave the door open, and air it out for at least one day. If the refrigerator smells persist, wipe the interior down again with the baking soda solution and air it out for another day.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Tip:</strong>&nbsp;To introduce a pleasant smell, you can place a couple of cotton balls soaked with vanilla inside the refrigerator and freezer and close them in there for a few hours before restocking. &nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Step 5: Clean the Evaporator</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If there\'s a lasting funk that just won\'t go away, chances are the refrigerator smells have permeated the evaporator coil, which produces cold air for the fridge and freezer. The coil, along with the fan that distributes the air, are typically located on the back wall of the freezer.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In the video above, we show you how to clean the evaporator on a top-freezer refrigerator. Start by removing the screws that anchor the panel. Next disconnect the plug for the electronic controls and icemaker. Remove and wash the panel. Use a spray bottle to apply warm soapy water to the coils, capturing the dirty water runoff with an old rag; repeat the process with fresh water to rinse. Allow the coil to air dry completely before replacing the panel. &nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This job is definitely easiest on a top-freezer, since you have plenty of room to maneuver. But you should be able to access and clean the evaporator on any refrigerator; check your user\'s manual for specific instructions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Note that if you have a newer refrigerator with dual evaporators, you will have two sets of coils—one for the freezer and one for the fridge. But if the odor is only in the fresh food compartment, you\'ll only have to clean that coil.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Now if you can only get someone to decontaminate that disgusting fridge at work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/refrigerators/how-to-get-rid-of-funky-refrigerator-smells/?itm_source=parsely-api\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to Get Rid of Funky Refrigerator Smells','','publish','closed','closed','','how-to-get-rid-of-funky-refrigerator-smells','','','2023-07-30 13:07:14','2023-07-30 13:07:14','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3345',0,'post','',0),(3346,1,'2023-07-30 13:03:18','2023-07-30 13:03:18','','My-project-1-67','','inherit','closed','closed','','my-project-1-67','','','2023-07-30 13:03:18','2023-07-30 13:03:18','',3345,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-67.png',0,'attachment','image/png',0),(3347,1,'2023-07-30 13:07:14','2023-07-30 13:07:14','<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">A multipronged attack can bring back the freshness.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:gallery {\"linkTo\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":3346,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/My-project-1-67.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3346\"/></figure>\n<!-- /wp:image --></figure>\n<!-- /wp:gallery -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Rank refrigerator smells take many forms. They might emanate from the quart of milk you didn\'t toss before leaving on vacation or some hidden-away deviled eggs. Ever forget &nbsp;a potato at the bottom of the vegetable bin? Worse than you can imagine. Some odors are more offensive than others, naturally, but it\'s never a good idea to let them persist because they can permeate every inch of the fridge right down to the mechanicals and can be difficult to remove.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">But with a little patience and perseverance you can stanch the stench. Here\'s a step-by-step guide.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Step 1: Take Everything Out</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Even if you\'ve identified the offending item, you need to empty the entire contents of the refrigerator and freezer. If you have a second fridge, stash perishables there. If the odor is the result of a power outage, don\'t take any chances by hanging onto food that may have spoiled. A refrigerator will keep food at safe temperatures for about 4 hours, if it\'s left unopened, according to the USDA\'s Food Safety and Inspection Services. </p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Step 2: Handwash Bins and Shelves</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Take out the shelves, bins, crisper drawers, ice trays, and any other loose components and wash them in the sink with hot, soapy water. For particularly pervasive refrigerator smells, mix up a sanitizing solution of 1 tablespoon liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water and use it to wipe the bins and shelves down; then rinse in plain water and air dry. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Step 3: Deodorize the Interior</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Now you\'re ready to wash the inside of the refrigerator. For this, our experts recommend a solution of 1 cup baking soda per gallon of water. Wipe down the interior with a sponge soaked in the solution. For caked-on food, dip a damp sponge directly in baking powder and apply a little elbow grease. Stay away from abrasive cleaners and pads, which can scratch the interior of the refrigerator. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Step 4: Air it Out</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Here\'s where the patience piece comes in. For best results, you need to unplug the refrigerator, leave the door open, and air it out for at least one day. If the refrigerator smells persist, wipe the interior down again with the baking soda solution and air it out for another day.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong>Tip:</strong>&nbsp;To introduce a pleasant smell, you can place a couple of cotton balls soaked with vanilla inside the refrigerator and freezer and close them in there for a few hours before restocking. &nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"extra-large\"} -->\n<h2 class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-extra-large-font-size\">Step 5: Clean the Evaporator</h2>\n<!-- /wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">If there\'s a lasting funk that just won\'t go away, chances are the refrigerator smells have permeated the evaporator coil, which produces cold air for the fridge and freezer. The coil, along with the fan that distributes the air, are typically located on the back wall of the freezer.&nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">In the video above, we show you how to clean the evaporator on a top-freezer refrigerator. Start by removing the screws that anchor the panel. Next disconnect the plug for the electronic controls and icemaker. Remove and wash the panel. Use a spray bottle to apply warm soapy water to the coils, capturing the dirty water runoff with an old rag; repeat the process with fresh water to rinse. Allow the coil to air dry completely before replacing the panel. &nbsp;</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">This job is definitely easiest on a top-freezer, since you have plenty of room to maneuver. But you should be able to access and clean the evaporator on any refrigerator; check your user\'s manual for specific instructions.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Note that if you have a newer refrigerator with dual evaporators, you will have two sets of coils—one for the freezer and one for the fridge. But if the odor is only in the fresh food compartment, you\'ll only have to clean that coil.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"textColor\":\"black\",\"fontSize\":\"large\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Now if you can only get someone to decontaminate that disgusting fridge at work.</p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To read the full article, <a href=\"https://www.consumerreports.org/refrigerators/how-to-get-rid-of-funky-refrigerator-smells/?itm_source=parsely-api\">click here.</a></p>\n<!-- /wp:paragraph -->','How to Get Rid of Funky Refrigerator Smells','','inherit','closed','closed','','3345-revision-v1','','','2023-07-30 13:07:14','2023-07-30 13:07:14','',3345,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?p=3347',0,'revision','',0),