Dog-Friendly Homeowners Insurance Companies

Winter Preparation Tips That Can Save You Money

While you can’t stop winter’s imminent arrival, there are preventative steps you can take to avoid an unexpected freeze to your cash flow. Mint sought out the experts for tips on how to protect your budget this winter.

Your Home

If you’re a homeowner, prevention is key to keeping maintenance costs low throughout the year—but especially in the winter. The best part is, you don’t have to have a knack for home improvement in order to stay vigilant about keeping home repair costs to a minimum.

Check your roof. If you are weary about climbing a ladder, you can get a feel for your roof’s condition from the ground with a pair of binoculars. Alyssa Hall of GAF , North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, recommends visually scanning your roof for any signs of sagging or uneven areas, which can indicate roof damage beneath the shingles.  On the shingles, look for curling edges, those that are missing entirely, and any signs of damage caused by animals. If you have asphalt shingles or a slate roof, look for black areas, which indicate that a shingle is cracked or missing. If you spot problem areas, call a roofer to assess the situation before snowfall strikes. If problems are left to worsen, you could have a sagging or caving roof, water leaks, and water damage on your hands.

Clean gutter systems. Hall also advises clearing gutters of any leaves, branches and roots, so that melting snow and ice has a way to get off the roof. Water or snow left standing on the roof increases the odds of leaks and ice dams—which can quickly lead to major repair costs.

Seal windows. Richard Apfel, president of Skyline Windows says, “the average home uses 10 to 15 percent of its energy costs through improperly sealed windows.” Check for leaks by placing piece of paper in the window frame and then closing the window. If you can pull the piece of paper out without tearing it, you’ve got an air leak. You can try to seal the leak yourself with silicon-based caulking materials (available at your hardware store). If you still feel a draft after caulking, buy a clear plastic window film kit (also sold at hardware stores). They’re inexpensive, easy to install with the help of a hair dryer, and can save you major bucks on your heating bills. Apfel also says, “the plastic creates an insulating air pocket that can cut heat loss by 25 to 40 percent.

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Beaverton Homeowners Insurance

Beaverton homeowners insurance can be a lifesaver should you ever have a problem with your home. There are several basic provisions all homeowners agencies include in their policies but you may find a few hazards common to your area are not included. A bit of extra shopping may be necessary to guarantee any potential risk is insured.

Fortunately, a bit of preparation can make the process of protecting your Beaverton home much easier than you would expect. Figuring out exactly what provisions you are looking for before comparing policies makes the research much less confusing. After all, when it comes to determining the best coverage for your family, you are the expert.

Adding a Pet to Your Insurance

Many people do not realize their pet can be covered by their Beaverton homeowners insurance policy. Some companies automatically include this provision while others will require you to add a separate rider to your plan. Be sure to speak to your Oregon homeowners agent to see what options are available on your policy.

Pet insurance can cover some vet bills but it is most important to find a plan which includes pet liability. This is especially vital if you have a temperamental animal. If your pet ever harms someone on your property your Beaverton homeowners insurance will cover their medical expenses. If you had to pay these costs out of pocket it could cost you thousands depending on the severity of the situation.

Before adding a pet to your policy you should perform a bit of research. Some Beaverton, OR companies refuse to insure certain breeds of dogs and other pets known to be aggressive or dangerous. Read your policy carefully to see if your pet makes the cut or if you have to pay extra to have your pet included on your Beaverton homeowners insurance plan.

A pet rider may come with a high price tag but there are ways to drop the cost. Have your pet spayed and neutered and be sure to take it for regular check-ups at the vet. If you have a dog consider enrolling it in an obedience class by a certified instructor in Beaverton, OR. Present records of these actions to your Beaverton homeowners insurance agent and discuss how this will affect the price of your pet provision.

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