Archive for December 8th, 2008

Homeowner’s Insurance and Vacancy: Protecting Your Home While You’re Away

Monday, December 8th, 2008

Homeowner’s Insurance and Vacancy:
Protecting Your Home While You’re Away

We all enjoy the spring and summer months, as the weather warms and the welcome sunshine beckons us toward outdoor activities and family vacations.

But departing our homes for greener pastures means leaving them unattendedand vulnerable. When this happens, we face a greater likelihood of burglary, loss, and home insurance claims.

Keeping Costs Down

So how can we keep our home insurance costs down and our abodes safe from invasion?

With the average loss from home burglary presently hovering around $1300, securing our homes and possessions could be just the answer to saving us hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

In fact, nine out of 10 home break-ins could be prevented if homeowners would take steps to burglarproof their homes, says the Insurance Information Institute (III), a leading expert on consumer insurance issues.

Preparing for Departure

The best way to keep your home safe in your absence is to make it appear you’re homeeven though you aren’t.

Light, time and noise are your best weapons to help accomplish this.

If you’re getting ready to leave home, follow these tips to prepare your home for your departure:

  • Tell your neighbors when you’ll be away, and ask someone to keep an eye on your house.
  • Stop mail and newspaper delivery, or ask a friend or neighbor to pick them up for you.
  • Provide noise and illumination by using timers on your televisions, lights and radios.
  • Trim bushes and shrubs around your home to keep burglars from hiding there.
  • Keep blinds and curtains in their normal positions to make it appear you’re home.
  • Turn on outside lights, or place them on timers to discourage burglars.
  • If it’s warm enough for your grass to grow, arrange to have your lawn mowed.
  • Lower the sound of your telephone and answering machine so they can’t be heard from outside.
  • If the weather will be warm enough while you’re away, turn on your air conditioner. A silent compressor on a hot day is a good indication you aren’t home.
  • Unplug automatic garage doors and lock all deadbolts and windows to keep thieves from entering your home.

    • Leaving home to relax with family and friends should be an enjoyable experience. And it can bewith the right mix of preparation and care.

    So keep home insurance costs down and protect your castle by taking these tips to heart. Then relax and get away from it all, knowing you’ll return to find your home sweet home safe and sound!

    About InsureMe

    Penny Hagerman is a copywriter and insurance information expert with InsureMe in Englewood, Colorado. InsureMe links agents nationwide with consumers shopping for insurance. Specializing in auto, life, long-term care, health and home insurance quotes, the InsureMe network provides thousands of agents with insurance leads every year. For more information, visit InsureMe.com.

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    Health Savings Accounts (HSA): How Do I Tell a Good One from a Bad One?

    Monday, December 8th, 2008

    The Health Savings Account (HSA) is becoming well-known as an incredible tool to reduce health insurance premuims and yet provide good security for healthcare emergencies.

    But what should consumers watch out for? Are there good HSAs and bad HSAs?

    The answer is “not really.” All HSAs are made to be quite similar, by federal law. They must conform to the national standards.

    However, there are some subtlies that differentiate HSAs as, not good or bad, but maybe good and better.

    The first thing to ask about an HSA is about the fees that the HSA custodian charges. Find out all the fees, including setup fee and annual fees. It is reasonable to pay a small setup fee ($25 or more) but I would not expect an annual fee to be charged.

    Your next question should be directed towards the investment options. Many HSAs offer only a “money market” type of account. This is really not desirable. The best option for investing your HSA money (which could become quite substantial if you do not use it up year-after-year) is in a low-risk mutual fund. My suggestion is to invest the HSA money in a government bond fund or a corporate bond fund. These funds often make more than 5% gains in a year, but they do not suffer the dramatic ups and downs of stock mutual funds.

    You do not want an HSA to be jumping up and down in value, because it might not be there when you really need it. And you never know when that will be.

    You might also want to compare your comfort level between a local insurance agent versus an HSA Website. For me personally, I prefer a local agent who I can talk to and see in her office. An HSA Website makes me a little nervous. I probably wouldn’t put my money into an Internet bank for the same reason.

    Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are here to stay, and they are going to change healthcare as we know it. Be part of the future! HSAs are available today!

    Daryl Kulak is the author of the book “Health Insurance Off the Grid - A Wonderful Way to Use Alternative Medicine and Save Money on Insurance Using the New Health Savings Account (HSA).” The book provides a nine-step plan to get your self-employed or small business health insurance costs under control using a unique approach you won’t find anywhere else. The book is available for sale as an e-Book or paperback at the Website http://www.healthoffthegrid.com

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