Homeowners Insurance Cash

Home Owner’s Insurance Part 1

“That’s not covered,” are some of the most devastating words to hear after a natural disaster or a home burglary. If your insurance policy is inadequate, you could hear those words when you need help the most.

On the surface, purchasing homeowner’s insurance seems easy enough; get enough coverage to take care of property should it be lost or stolen. But what about rebuilding damaged portions of the house or protecting yourself from liability if someone is hurt while on your property?

Perhaps when you bought the policy, everything the agent told you seemed obvious: if a tree falls on the house, the insurance will pay for it minus the deductable. If the mailman slips on the sidewalk, it is covered. Things aren’t always so black and white however. What if the tree was felled by ice? Some policies will not cover the damage.

Know Your Home Owner’s Insurance Numbers

The original HO-1 insurance only covered 11 specific causes such as fire, lightening, theft, vandalism volcanic eruption and riot. Because this is such limited in coverage, this policy is being phased out.

The next step is the HO-2 policy which covers against 17 named perils. Snow and ice damage and burst pipes and water damage from freezing plumbing are two of the additional items covered. Because of the extra coverage, the price for this policy is more expensive, but it is well worth it if you need to use the insurance.

The big change in coverage comes with HO-3. This policy is all-inclusive except for specific, named perils. Floods are not typically included in this policy however you can usually buy additional flood insurance.

Be sure to read your policy thoroughly because all of the limits and restrictions of coverage will be stated. The cost for this policy is higher than an HO-1 plan, but you are more likely to be covered if something terrible happens.

HO-4 and HO-6 cover only property and not the structure itself. This type of policy is designed for renters. Most of these policies also have some liability coverage.

If your home has historical significance, is located in a flood zone or has any other special considerations, talk to a local, independent insurance agent to get quotes on appropriate coverage. They will be able to answer your specific questions and set you up with the best policy for you and your home. And always read through your policy carefully to acquaint yourself with what it entails.

The best time to install a lighting system is while landscaping, but it is never too late to create lighting solutions. In fact, a low-voltage system is usually inexpensive and can be installed in one afternoon requiring only a screwdriver, drill and a garden spade. The center of this low-voltage system is the waterproof transformer. It reduces the output to only 12 volts. This low voltage insures that you can’t get shocked, even if you touch a bare wire. You also needn’t worry about children or pets playing near the lights.

There are even more options for greater security, economy and convenience. Try one that will automatically turn lights on and off, or photo cells that will turn the lights on at dusk and off at dawn. Or even enter any interval you want.

Some types to consider are:

Mushroom Lights: These lights have large shades that point the light downward. Depending on the model you choose you can vary the height, width and intensity of the light.

Floodlights: Floodlights offer dramatic silhouettes. For a dramatic effect, place them on the ground pointing upward.

Well Lights: This type of light is also a dramatic choice for lighting up trees, shrubs or architectural features of the house.

Deck Lights: Use deck lights along the railings to add security and illumination. You can also try them along any steps in the yard.

*Outdoor Light Timers:

Should you choose to keep an outdoor ground timer, be sure to prevent anyone but you to alter the settings by placing the timer inside a locked area or choose a model with a locking cover.

Security Fencing and Installation

How to Secure Your Yard with Fencing

Fences make it difficult for burglars to access a property. Here are a few ideas for you to think about, should you choose to install a fence.

Height: There are different heights of fencing on the market; anything from privacy fencing with a height of around 7 feet to low and flimsy chicken wire fencing. Make sure yours is at least 40 inches tall in order to deter anyone trying to get in. Also make sure it is secure enough that not just anyone can tear it down to get through.

Style: Choose a style that will be durable, and solid, yet also allows visibility. The rest is left up to your taste and personal preference.

Legal Requirements: Make sure to check with your local city offices for any applicable codes dictating height, style and placement of fencing before you start digging, especially if you live on a corner lot. Chain link is a popular choice because it is very durable and relatively inexpensive. It also requires very little maintenance. If you don’t like the look of chain link, there are options of black or green painted that you might find more appealing. Wood or plastic slats can also be weaved through to offer more privacy. Another beautiful option is climbing vines or shrubs planted close by.

When thinking about shrubs or hedges as fencing there are a few items to keep in mind. Remember to keep them trimmed so as not to block off the view between your house and the neighbor, as well as a clear view of the street.

Three types of popular home-grown borders:

Barberry: This spiny shrub is not only a hearty plant, but also very eye pleasing. Barberries have small yellow flowers and deciduous barberries are deep red colored through the fall.

Hawthorn: This thorny plant can naturally be a deterrent, but don’t be fooled because it is also a beautiful option for fencing. The hawthorn has either white or pink flowers. Its’ leaves change with the seasons from spring green to red or orange in the fall and also bears red or yellow fruit.

Rose Shrub: A rose shrub is also a great pick. The thorns can make an intruder second guess, while still offering appealing flowers with a great fragrance. However, make sure you check around in your area to see which roses grow best because roses can be picky plants.

Once you’ve got the fence, why not try a pet?

Dogs instinctively protect the home. Their hearing is keen and they are always alert. Their barking can warn you of harm and deter thieves.  When choosing a dog specifically for home protection, it is a good idea to talk to your local veterinarian or dog trainer to determine the best dog for your family.  Whatever breed you choose, the most important step is training. A dog may have the instinct to protect home and family, but it will need to be taught your expectations.

Outdoor Lighting for Security

A well-lit interior in the evening tells potential intruders that it’s likely someone is home. Exterior lighting as someone approaches, exposes them and makes them visible to the residents and neighbors. It’s not surprising then that thieves don’t care for light. Take a look at the lighting in and around your home to make it more safe and discourage prowlers.

Start with Exterior

The aim is to select and place fixtures in order to provide and even distribution of light at entrances and avoid any dark zones where a person might be able to hide. The brighter the light isn’t always the best, rather the larger the space that is lit up. However, left on all night, bright lights can annoy neighbors and make it difficult to sleep as well as use a lot of electricity. A mere 40-60 watts can be enough to deter a burglar when placed along walkways and borders. For increased safety around entries, place security lights which don’t burn all night, using a higher watt.

Remember to follow these guidelines when placing lights:

Entry-way Lights: Use fixtures with two bulbs. Having two bulbs provides greater light as well as ensures that when one bulb goes out you will still have lighting.

Garage Door Lights: A motion detecting light placed above the garage door will automatically turn on when someone enters the drive. Again, using a double fixture provides both a back-up and more lighting so whether it is friend or foe, you will know.

Walk-ways and Driveway Lights:

The path from the street to your house and from detached garage to your house should be well-lit.  A simple post lamp can do the job. Or if you have a long walkway, try low-voltage lights along the path. Keep walk-way lights no taller than one foot.

Under Eaves Lights:

Using floodlights pointed downward from the eaves lights the house easily. Also include them at corners so as to illuminate two sides at the same time.  Make sure to not point the floodlights away from the house because that will create gaps in lighting. If possible, also place the light fixtures high enough that they are unreachable by someone standing on the ground.

There are two different basic models available for the best lighting under eaves. The first is to choose one with a motion sensor in which the lights turn on should anything come into range. The second is a photoelectric model. This will turn on automatically at dusk and remain on until dawn.

Under Window Lights: Mount these fixtures on the ground and simply direct the light upwards through any applicable trees or shrubs. Be sure to use a low wattage in order to insure visibility from the house.

Under the Deck Lights:

A walk-out basement should have excellent lighting. If it is a door entrance, try using a motion sensor light. If it is a window, a simple low-voltage light will provide gentle illumination.