Category: Home Insurance

Fall is now upon us, and there are different precautions that should be taken care of for your home this fall. There are also crucial things to be aware of this season to prevent possible great losses. Having said that, the following includes different preparation measures that should be taken for your home this fall:

• Have a qualified technician to inspect and clean the furnace annually.
• Keep flammables away from wiring and water heaters in the basement.
• Turn the thermostat up during really cold temperatures, and get water pipes that are exposed in cold temperatures insulated.
• Make sure the chimney is annually maintained and cleaned professionally.
• Check the caulking around the toilet bases, sinks, bathtubs, and showers and make needed repairs.
• Check the caulking around the windows and doors that are deteriorated.
•  Check, clean, and repair accordingly the gutters, roof, and downspouts to keep down debris. This will prevent  the extra building of leaves in the gutters.
• Remove and clean out the clothes dryer exhaust duct,  space underneath the dryer, pieces of material, dust, and lint.
• Check electrical outlets for possible fire hazards, and make sure there’s no overloading of extension cords, fuse boxes, electrical outlets, and all power services.
•  Make sure to have a filled and readily operable multi-purpose fire extinguisher.
• Have a smoke detector on each floor of your home, inspect them, have monthly testings, and change the battery as needed.

Taking these steps will get you on your way for safety, to prevent dreadful losses, and to ensure your home insurance rates won’t raise. Most homeowner insurance policies cover damages associated with falling trees, wind, wind driven rain, and collapse caused by snow or ice. There are, however, some damages that  homeowners’ policies won’t cover, such as landslides, floods, busted pipes due to negligence from the homeowner, etc. Be sure to contact Hart Insurance for more details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find yourself frequently overwhelmed with the urge to run other drivers off the road? You’re not alone, and these tips for diffusing the rage may save your life.

• Yell into the abyss

One of the most natural, mild stages of road rage is screaming out your frustrations. While potentially off-putting for your passengers, it’s still a better option to let off steam than channeling the anger into your vehicle. If you’re the sort who gestures with their arms while talking, this method may not be for you.

• Make a pit stop

If you have the time to spare, consider pulling off of the road and getting away from the driver’s seat. Have a drink, eat a meal, or call up your family on the cell phone. Do anything but think about the road, and wait for your rage to dissipate.

• Think about the cost of losing control 

"Road rage" as a term tends to conjure up images of shouting drivers hurling insults at stop lights or riding too close to someone’s bumper, both aggravating but not inherently costly behaviors. Rage doesn’t stop there, though. If it takes over, drivers may find themselves deliberately causing accidents that threaten the lives of themselves of those around them. Even the seemingly innocuous tailgating can dramatically increase the risk of accidents occurring.

When you feel the urge to take an action based on anger while driving, it is essential to think ahead. The person who cut you off and made you slam on the brakes is certainly infuriating, but driving recklessly because of it could turn what was an insignificantly minor increase in used gas into the cost of repairs, rising insurance premiums, and even time in jail.

If you would like to know more about how road rage incidents can impact everything from your right to drive to the cost of your insurance premiums, contact the automotive insurance specialists at Hart Insurance.

 

So it’s time to move from one place to another and you are dreading packing. This is a common concern. But if you follow a few helpful tips about how to pack more efficiently, the process won’t be so bad. Below are some packing tips to make your move a lot easier and keep your stress levels down.

DON’T PAY FOR BOXES

You are already spending enough on your move most likely. Save money on not buying boxes. You can get free boxes from friends, from various stores like liquor stores or from your work’s mailroom, if you have access to such a place. Also, if you can use them, don’t hesitate to put items into trash bags as you are simply transporting them from one place to another and these bags are durable enough for this purpose and perfect for a one time use.

INSURE YOUR MOVE

Make sure you have insurance during your move so you can protect yourself from having to pay for any lost or stolen items during this period of transition. Call a local insurance provider like Hart Insurance, who serves the greater Federal Way, Washington area to set up home or renters insurance so you can concentrate on packing and moving and not worry about losing items or having them stolen from you.

LABEL YOUR BOXES

By simply labeling what is in your boxes and what rooms the boxes belong in when you get to your new place, it will save you a tremendous amount of time packing and unpacking your belongings, especially the unpacking part. This can also be done by color coding boxes if you don’t want people carrying them to know exactly what is in them, with a key you only have access to.