The countdown to Christmas is in full swing. In case you’re wondering, there are 17 more shopping days till Christmas, although it would be hard to not know that based on the advertisements on TV, radio, and everywhere else. Even on Monday night football, ESPN has its Zales Extraordinary Moments and there’s ever present “diamond kind of love.”
While most of us celebrate, there are those who look to take advantage of others during this season. Break-ins occur during this time of year, and it’s not just cars. Thieves break in to homes too. Here are 6 steps you can take to prevent a home break in during a time of year we should be celebrating.
The Dallas / Fort Worth area had the first hint of winter this weekend with temperatures dipping into the 30’s Saturday night. Winter is coming and it’s a great time to get your home ready for it. You’ll save money on energy and maybe even avoid a home insurance claim!
The Dallas Fire Department arrived at a home in east Dallas about 10 days ago. The home was on fire, yet they were able to put the fire out within 30 minutes. The good news is no one was hurt as the family wasn’t home when it started. It turns out the fire started in the attic. Some overloaded older wiring shorted, sparked and started the fire. What overloaded the wiring raises an interesting question about whether or not the home insurance will cover this fire claim.
Most people don’t think about insurance fraud, yet it does exists and is a problem for insurance companies, as well as you and me. Last week, I introduced this topic by looking at car insurance fraud (see https://wiseinsurancegroup.com/car-insurance-fraud/) using two examples that were in the news. Here, I continue the theme by examining it by looking at fraudulent home insurance claims.
Last Sunday, the Dallas Morning News published an article about Kristen and Wade Lair. The article related the issues the Lair’s have faced working with city hall on a home they bought to rehab in east Dallas. Their story outlines some of the issues homeowners face when buying a home in a historic district. It also provides an excellent backdrop on home insurance for homes in historic districts.
I received an email over the weekend that asked an interesting question with implications for homeowners and homeowner associations. The question came from an individual who handles the association insurance policy for a community of duplexes owned by active adults over 55. Her question addressed a concern she has about several homeowners who have paid off their mortgages and, as a result, may not carry home insurance. She asked, “If one side of [a] duplex is damaged who repairs the whole roof?”
I was reminded this week how much certain types of home insurance claims can impact your rate. I was working with a prospective client’s insurance quotes for a new home a couple is buying. In order to confirm which company would provide the best rate, I ran the CLUE report which shows me claims the sellers may have filed on the home being purchased, as well as the buyer’s previous claims.
MSN posted an interesting article earlier this year noting changes home insurance companies are making. These changes tend to affect older homes in general, and homes with older roofs specifically. These changes are popping up across the US impacting home owners in the Gulf coast states, Midwest, as well as California and Colorado.
If you are a new home buyer, congratulations! You understand exactly what it took to get into your new home; saving up for the down payment, reviewing your credit scores and cleaning up any inaccuracies, pre-qualifying for the loan, shopping for home insurance, and finding that perfect home. I have one piece of advice for you that will help you save hundreds, potentially thousands, of dollars in the coming years on the cost of your home insurance.
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