Ready to give your home a top-to-bottom buffing? Lallis & Higgins Insurance suggests focusing on furnishings, appliances, and carpeting. Once you’ve covered these major tasks, you’ll have your home spring-cleaned in no time.

Make doormats welcoming

Shake 'em, wash 'em, swat 'em with a broom. Give them the toughest cleaning they can take. They’re your front line against tracked-in dirt—so keep them clean enough to function at peak efficiency.

Clean carpets and upholstery

Fabrics that have absorbed a winter’s worth of dirt, body oil, and germs will need a deep cleaning to get them ready for another year of wear. When you’re shampooing carpets or cleaning upholstery with a rented carpet cleaner, practice first in an unobtrusive area to make sure you have the knack of the machine and that the treatment won’t discolor fabrics or cause dyes to run. Move furniture just slightly—not out of the room or against the wall—and place the legs of each piece back on top of small wax paper squares after shampooing. The wax paper will protect your carpet and keep the furniture legs from getting wet as the carpet dries. Open the windows to speed the drying process, which can take a day or more. If you’re not the furniture-shifting and machine-renting type, use a professional carpet and upholstery cleaner.

Finish your floors

To protect the floors in your kitchen from another year of wear and tear, wax or apply a sealer following label directions. The simplest method: Use a combination wash-and-wax floor cleaner. No-wax floors don’t need a polishing treatment, but an occasional makeover will keep them looking fresher and add a protective buffer that could help them last longer. Use a floor cleaner that cleans, shines, or both. If you have wood floors, move furniture and rugs aside, then apply a wood cleaner and either liquid or paste polish to clean and add a new wax coating.

Wash walls, cabinets, baseboards, and woodwork

The walls may not look as if they need a bath—dust and soot fall to the floor, right? Most of it does, but just enough clings to vertical surfaces to warrant a seasonal or pre-holiday bath. Use a sponge and hand dishwashing detergent, washing the surface in sections. A sponge mop makes it easier to reach higher spots. Use two buckets: one for dishwashing detergent solution and another for wringing your sponge. Dry the walls and woodwork with a clean cloth.

Vacuum with intelligence

The old rules mandated that you go through the labor-intensive task of dragging every stick of furniture off the carpet, just so the vacuum cleaner could cover every nook and cranny. Instead, simply move those big items a little to the left or to the right. Vacuum the area previously occupied by the furniture and then move it back into place.

Clean ceiling fixtures

Remove dust and dirt from ceiling fans and air-conditioner vents with a cloth and a vacuum with a soft nozzle attachment.

Clean your light fixtures

A few minutes with a stepladder, all-purpose cleaner, a sponge, and a polish cloth will give new light to your life. If your home has skylights or tall ceilings, consider investing in a stepladder and extended-reach dust-and-dirt-removal tools, all of which are available at your local hardware store and at home supply stores.

Check your coils

You should clean the refrigerator’s condenser coil, usually found behind the toe grille, with a long-handled bottle brush and a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose to remove dust and lint. Built-up dust can shut down the unit by causing it to overheat. To remove dust from coils attached to the hard-to-reach back side of the fridge, carefully pull the refrigerator out several feet (newer models roll on casters) and vacuum thoroughly; finish by sweeping or vacuuming the floor area you’ve revealed. Expect to rediscover coins, bottle caps, and twist ties that you and the cat knocked over the past year.

Readers Digest

Homeowners are naturally concerned about protecting their properties — but many also worry about the protection itself. Making sure you get things right with homeowner's insurance takes information, thought and perhaps a little expert help.

Insurance agents are likely to insist that it's a mistake to shop only for the lowest premium. If you listen to what they say, you'll likely be persuaded that your decision should indeed take other things into account.

When people are looking at purchasing, they should take a step back and consider what they're insuring — the home, furnishings, protection for personal liability. For most people, that global view is probably better than thinking only about premiums.

A basic difference in coverages

Buyers must be aware that some policies provide the replacement value of a home, and some only cover a similar place minus depreciation. The difference is important.

That replacement value is the first thing that comes into play. It's not what you paid for the house, not what you’d sell the house for. It's the amount to rebuild if nothing is left, how much to replace it all. It would include a number for the whole house and a number for the property inside.

You should also know that the replacement value may be different with different agents. If you're comparing apples to apples, the higher value will probably mean higher premiums.

Homeowners who choose to insure for less than replacement value could confront a situation in which they would have to accept something less than what they had before when they repair or rebuild after a major loss.

What's covered, what's not

A homeowner should never assume what is or isn't covered by a policy under consideration. In fact, it's unwise to take anything for granted as covered by a policy you already have. Have your agent spell everything out in full detail.

A good approach to consider is “insurance against all perils except those specifically excluded within the policy." That is delivered by a special form HO3 policy, which covers the dwelling, other buildings on the property, liability, guests and medical protection. Should the house become uninhabitable, it would pay for additional living expenses while repairs go forward.

Homeowner's policies don't include flood insurance, which is available separately from the National Flood Insurance Program. You can consult with your agent about this. Cost depends on the amount of coverage purchased, what it covers, and the property's flood risk.

What's inside the house

On the special form, your personal property is covered, usually a percentage of what the home's insured for.

Like the house itself, there are differences in available coverage between replacement value and actual cash value for furnishings, appliances and the like. Policy buyers should think about —– and discuss with the agent —what coverage makes sense in their cases.

Without paying extra, you'll get some coverage for theft or damage on valuables like jewelry, furs, coins, silverware or guns. This is limited, though — for jewelry, the total might be $2,500. Very often luxury items or collections are worth far more than basic homeowner's coverage will include. For such items, extra insurance purchases may be required to safeguard their value.

Certain specialty items are worth thinking about in terms of specialized coverage — a high-end professional computer might be an example.

Saving some money

Accepting higher deductibles can produce more affordable premiums.

Bundling — buying auto, and homeowners policies from the same company or insurance agency— can cut the overall cost of insurance. You should also try to limit the number of small claims you make, which can increase your costs and could also make it harder to change companies.

For more information on homeowners insurance in Quincy, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

mcall.com

Now is the time to protect your home from ice dams

After three winter storms in less than a week, you may be noticing some pretty large snow piles on the roof of your home. With a slight warm up in temperature coming mid-week, now is the time to remove snow in order to prevent the buildup of ice dams - and potential damage to your home.

As you may recall from our winter in 2015, ice dams can be very destructive as the water from melting snow backs up behind the dam and leaks into your home underneath the shingles.

There are two basic approaches to help you prevent damage to your home from ice dams:

1. Remove snow and ice from your roof. The safest way to clear your roof is to hire a snow removal professional. However, if you plan to do it yourself, follow these recommendations from roofing experts:

• Use a roof rake instead of a shovel
• Try not to damage your shingles
• Avoid standing under icicles or roofs with large amounts of snow
• Use extreme caution when using ladders because rungs become very slippery
• Keep tools away from electrical wires
• Have someone nearby in case you need assistance

2. Create channels to help melt ice.

• If you notice an ice buildup, fill a large sock with a melting agent (preferably calcium chloride) and lay it across the dam perpendicular to the gutter
• The sock will release the melting agent gradually and create a channel in the ice for water to empty through
• You may need several socks for an ice dam that runs the length of your roof

If you notice leaks in your home, it's important to do what you can to mitigate the damage:

• Collect the dripping water in buckets and pans
• Mop up standing water
• Move furniture, clothes and valuables out of harm's way
• Call a professional to deal with the snow on the roof and to dry out your house

For information on home insurance contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Plymouth Rock

For a first-time homebuyer, nothing is more important than properly protecting a new investment and that means purchasing a homeowner’s insurance policy. It is important to have an understanding about the importance of appropriate insurance coverage.

Here are just a few tips:

1. Factor in home insurance

When calculating monthly mortgage payments, it’s important to factor in home insurance. Just as property taxes will likely be paid out of an escrow account, so will insurance premiums.

2. Find an insurer early

Finding an insurer early can give a homebuyer peace of mind. Shop around for a policy that best suits your needs. An insurance company that works with multiple providers can assist a homebuyer in comparing policies and selecting insurance coverage.

Think of it as a one-stop comparison. The more providers a company works with, the more likely it is that you will come away with a policy tailored to specific needs.

3. Figure out your priority

You should think about what is most important in an insurance provider. Is it price, service or coverage? This can help guide you in making insurance choices.

4. Consider your future insurance needs when buying

Property features can figure into the type of coverage you need. Consider the specific aspects of the new home. Does it have a pool? A trampoline? What about a security system?

If a home is situated in a flood plain, a homeowner will need a separate policy to cover flood risk. Even owning certain types of dog breeds can affect insurance needs.

5. Don’t forget your belongings

Think about how much coverage you would need to protect all belongings and the structure itself against complete loss and total replacement and rebuilding.

Comprehensive coverage is the best way to ensure that a home and its contents are fully protected if disaster strikes. It’s also important to know which types of belongings needs separate riders — items of high value like valuable jewelry or pricy antiques.

6. Remember liability insurance

Liability insurance is an important part of a homeowner’s policy, as it protects an owner’s assets if someone should be injured on his or her property.

7. Bundle policies

Bundling policies together (auto, business and life) can save a homeowner on annual premiums.

8. Ask lots of questions

Understanding the ins and outs of insurance coverage is something a homeowner should consider along with the other aspects of homeownership.

Insurance companies that have established a network of professionals that include real estate agents, loan officers, real estate attorneys, as well as financial advisers can help homeowners manage every aspect of buying a new home.

This is particularly important for a first-time buyer who is just beginning to form relationships with industry professionals and is looking for people he or she can trust.

For an insurance company you trust, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

inman

New England is in the Big Game once again! Hosting a party this Sunday can feel like trying to dodge a blitz. With lots of guests, alcohol and charged emotions, disaster can strike from any direction. Here’s how your homeowner insurance policy can keep your wallet from taking a hit.

Intercepted belongings

Even small parties could include a few friends of a friend whom you don’t know. If you discover come super-cleanup Monday that your prized autographed football is gone, home insurance can help. Personal property coverage pays to replace stolen items, up to your policy’s limit.

Extra point: Take a personal contents inventory. Even going room to room and photographing belongings with your phone will help you provide claim details if something’s stolen.

The action heats up … at the same time as the grill

Sunday is a big cooking day — and not only in the kitchen. More than 1 in 4 grill owners brave the weather to fire up grub for the game.

Unfortunately, the festive atmosphere makes cooking fires one of the more common party accidents. If your house is damaged by fire or even destroyed, you can file a claim through your home insurance’s dwelling coverage for repairs or reconstruction.

Extra point: Ask your insurance agent to help determine the home’s current rebuilding cost. If it exceeds the dwelling insurance, increase limits on that coverage.

Guests on the injured list

It’s your job to keep your property and party safe. You could be financially responsible if that big-screen TV topples onto someone’s foot or your appetizers trigger food poisoning.

A standard home insurance policy includes medical payments coverage for injuries to visitors. It also includes liability coverage, which kicks in if you’re sued for injuries.

Extra point: It’s wise to check your medical payments insurance limit. A standard home policy provides about $1,000 in medical coverage per person, which might not be enough to pay for treatment of a guest’s injury.

Ineligible partygoer behind the wheel

Alcohol plays a part in many fans’ festivities. In 2016, BACtrack examined over 5,000 tests by users of its smartphone-enabled Breathalyzer. The average blood-alcohol content measured during game was 50% higher than on other non-holiday Sundays.

If your guests leave drunk, you could be on the hook for what happens on the road. Liability insurance with your homeowner policy might help pay for damage or injuries in these cases. But it’s not a sure thing, since coverage depends on the incident and your policy.

Extra point: Taking steps to prevent drunken driving is the surest way to avoid a lawsuit, so invite designated drivers. In some states, hosts could face criminal charges, not just civil penalties, if a drunken guest causes injuries or damage while driving.

For more information on homeowner insurance in Hingham, MA, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Your home is your castle, and the day after a claim is not the time to start asking questions about what home insurance provides. That’s why it’s important when insuring your home to work with a local insurance broker who has your best interest in mind.

Talk to a Lallis & Higgins Insurance representative to find the policy that will protect you, your home and your family. Lallis & Higgins represents more than one insurance company can offer options that many insurance agents can’t.

Too many times, the home owner selects a policy that has the cheapest premium only to learn after the claim that the policy did not provide what they thought that it should pay.

You need an agent that has the experience and knowledge to give good advice and describe the policy differences. This is the person that is going to be your trusted advisor, and the person that is going to stand with you the day after a claim.

Make sure you consider special circumstances. Most policies protect you against fire, lightning strikes, wind or hail damage. Losses from vandalism and theft are also typically covered to varying degrees. Is your home in a flood plain? What is the cost of flood insurance? What about damage from the back up of sewers or drains?

Does your homeowners insurance have a coverage limit for the theft of guns?  Earthquake coverage can typically be added on your policy – is this something you would like to entertain. What about damage to your home caused by a sinkhole? Do you have a business in your home? You need to think about what coverage is appropriate for your lifestyle and location. Also not covered is damage caused by poor maintenance, mold or pest infestation such as termites.

Buying home insurance is not like ‘shopping’ for a crate of oranges. All homeowners insurance policies are not the same.  There are real differences that are more important than the premium difference For more information contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Citizen Tribune

Homeowners who have resolved to save money in 2017 can try many ways to economize — energy-efficient lightbulbs, cutting the cable and more. However, they could be overlooking a potential source of thriftiness hiding in plain sight.

You may have lost track of your home insurance premium, seeing as it could be rolled into escrow along with your mortgage payment and property taxes. Just because you don't see an individual bill for it doesn't mean it's not there. Any policyholder can feel motivated to shop around, whether it's about saving money, rounding out coverage, etc.

Should you find yourself in the market for a new home insurance company you'll need to come prepared. The following tips and guidelines can help.

Things to do before you start shopping for Home Owners Insurance in Quincy, MA and the surround area.

Tips to help you prepare for your search and avoid backtracking include:

• Get your paperwork together. With a copy of your current policy in hand, you'll be better able to compare coverages, premiums and discounts among the providers you're considering.
• Update your home inventory. If you've added or subtracted personal belongings since buying your current policy, those changes can help you calculate your new contents coverage. An up-to-date home inventory will give you a better idea of how much protection you may need, whether more or less.
• Call an Independent Agent like Lallis & Higgins Insurance. Independent agents have access to many different insurance companies unlike a direct insurance carrier. Independent Agents are able to review pricing from many different companies and come up with the best options for you and your home. Lallis & Higgins Insurance will be able to review your policy and look at coverage and pricing for your specific situation and provide the best match.

Be ready to answer questions

When you speak with an agent about switching providers, the information you provide plays an essential role in determining premiums and coverages. You may anticipate such questions as:

• Have you had any life changes? From a change in marital status to the addition of a four-legged family member, recent developments in your life could affect your premiums and coverage needs. Sharing this kind of information can help you get a more accurate quote.
• Have you filed any claims? Your claims history helps determine your risk profile, which might have an influence on your premiums.
• Are you interested in switching both your auto and homeowner insurance policies? Many providers offer discounts for bundling different types of policies, such as home and auto. Consider getting your car insurance from the same agency as your homeowners to save money.

Remember to finalize and follow up

Your new insurance agent will handle the cancelation process once you’ve decided to make a switch, but you should always notify your mortgage company to confirm this switch as they generally need your confirmation of the switch.

• Notifying your mortgage lender. Many of today's mortgages feature escrows, which operate as savings accounts that mortgage lenders oversee to pay for expenses such as home insurance and property taxes. If your mortgage includes an escrow, keep your lender informed about any change in providers to keep record-keeping and payments current.

Changing your home insurance company is an important decision, one that no consumer should take lightly. When you undertake a big task, never underestimate the value of a little advance work. For more information having your home owners insurance policy reviewed, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

NASDAQ

A vacation home can be a great retreat and sometimes even a good investment, but there are some important factors to consider before making the leap into second-home ownership—such as insurance costs. Just like your primary home, you’ll need to insure your vacation home against liability and other risks. Because insurance can add to the price of buying and owning a vacation home, you may want to consider the likely insurance costs before deciding on a specific property.

Key Factors Impacting Vacation Home Insurance Costs

There are many reasons that insurance for a vacation home may be more expensive than that on your primary residence. Your second home may often be unoccupied, putting it at greater risk for theft, vandalism and undetected damage, like burst water pipes. When you shop for a vacation home, it’s important to recognize that the following factors will impact your insurance costs:

• Location—The location of any home is always a factor in pricing insurance policies, but it can be especially significant for vacation homes. The very location that makes a vacation home desirable may also make it more expensive to insure. For instance, a beach house may be more exposed to wind damage or storm surge from a hurricane. These location-based risks will impact the price of insurance coverage, and in some cases may even incur higher deductibles.

In addition, if the home is located in a flood zone, you’ll be required to purchase a separate flood insurance policy. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies, but coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and from some private insurance companies. The cost of NFIP flood insurance for second homes has been increasing and there are also special surcharges that you will be required to pay. You can check the cost of flood insurance by contacting Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

• Type of Property—As is the case with any house, a vacation home’s age and types of building materials used will impact the cost of insurance. In addition, these costs will vary depending on whether your second home is a single-occupancy house, a condominium or a townhouse. A condominium may have lower insurance costs because the homeowners association maintains and insures the exterior of the property and may provide security. Generally, the cost of insuring the structure of the unit will be included in the monthly maintenance fees. Your personal condo insurance will cover your belongings and specific areas of the unit listed in the policy.

• Amenities—If your vacation home has a pool, hot tub or other special amenity that adds risk, you may pay a higher insurance premium. You may also want to purchase more liability protection as these items are considered “attractive nuisances” that lead to a higher probability of liability claims being filed.

For more information on insuring a second home or vacation home, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Insurance Information Institute

How can I get flood insurance?

If you live in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you are eligible to purchase flood insurance. Find out if your community is one that have implemented floodplain management measures and participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.  Many homes located in AE zones can take advantage of a program underwritten through Lloyds of London that provide savings up to 38% off the NFIP rate.  You can contact a Lallis & Higgins Insurance representative to review options your home may qualify for.

What will my flood insurance premium cost?

It is essential that you visit with your insurance agent to determine exact costs. However, if you'd like to receive a general idea of how much your premium will cost contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

How is my flood insurance premium calculated?

A number of factors are considered when determining your flood insurance premium. These factors include: the amount and type of coverage being purchased, location and flood zone, and the design and age of your structure. For homes in high-risk areas (e.g., Special Flood Hazard Areas or AE, VE Zones) built after the first Flood Insurance Rate Maps were drawn for that community, the elevation of the building in relation to the base flood elevation is also required.

Can I get a discount on my flood insurance premium?

It's possible that you qualify for a discount based on your community's participation and status in the Community Rating System program.

Does a deductible apply to my coverage?

Building and contents policies have separate deductibles for each. This means that if your building and contents are both damaged due to a flood event, both deductibles are applied.

Will damage-preventing measures I’ve taken in my home be reimbursed by my Standard Flood Insurance Policy?

Some will be. When your insured home is in eminent danger of being flooded, you may receive up to a $1,000 reimbursement for your damage-preventing expenses. Things like renting storage space to protect your belongings, buying sandbags and lumber to make a barricade, and renting pumps are all things that qualify for reimbursement. No deductible is applied to this coverage.

To buy a flood insurance policy, call your insurance agent or contact Lallis & Higgins.

floodsmart.gov

The Federal Emergency Management Agency mapped your house or the house of someone you know into a high-risk flood zone, requiring the you or your friend to pay thousands of dollars in flood insurance rates. What do you do now?

First of all, don’t panic. The U.S. government recently took steps to soften the impact of many of the most drastic proposed changes to flood insurance this year. The Biggert-Waters Reform Act of 2012 eliminated insurance subsidies in high-risk areas and through other measures to make the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) self-sustaining.

However, if you received a letter from your mortgage lender indicating the need to purchase or pay higher premiums for flood insurance, you should take it seriously.

Here are few ways to reduce your risk of flood damage and lower your payments.

Learn the terms

Whether you already have flood insurance or are new to the coverage, it helps to know the important terms:

• Base flood elevation (BFE): The elevation at which there is a 1 percent or greater annual chance of flooding. The higher your house’s elevation sits above the BFE for your neighborhood, the lower the flood risk. FEMA uses this elevation to determine your home’s risk.
• Special flood hazard area: If you’re just now finding out that your house is high-risk, your lender probably sent you a notification that it’s in a special flood hazard area. This area is based on the base flood elevation and can determine your flood insurance rates.

Check the map

If you believe there’s been a mistake regarding your house’s placement in a flood zone, take a look at FEMA’s maps. Your insurance company or the online site can provide you with the basic information you need. It will tell you the base flood elevation for your house’s location. Use these maps generally, as they aren’t the official Flood Insurance Risk Maps that FEMA uses to determine risk.

Get a professional opinion

If you intend to challenge your house’s position on the flood map, you must first send a Letter of Map Amendment request to FEMA. After that, you should hire a licensed land surveyor to perform an elevation survey and determine the official risk for your property.

How to reduce the amount you pay

If the challenge fails and your house remains within the boundaries of a high-risk flood zone, purchasing flood insurance is a mandatory requirement for most mortgage holders. There are ways, however, to cut your monthly premiums:

• Purchase a Preferred Risk Policy: Most preliminary maps take 6 to 12 months to take effect, according to the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA recommends purchasing a Preferred Risk Policy during that time, which can provide coverage at a lower cost. The premium for a Preferred Risk Policy can reach as low as $128 per month, according to FloodSmart.gov. The NFIP recently extended eligibility for Preferred Risk Policies to apply to properties remapped on or after Oct. 8, 2008.
• Grandfather in old rates:
  
• If you buy a Preferred Risk Policy before the new maps go into effect, you may renew your lower rates for 2 years. In the third year, you potentially can qualify for low-to-moderate risk rates instead of high-risk rates.
• If you already have a flood insurance policy and the base flood elevation has increased in your area, your premiums could increase. Grandfather rules, however, allow you to use the earlier elevation to calculate rates, as long as you’ve maintained continuous flood insurance coverage on the property.
• You also can use grandfather rules if you can prove that your home was built in compliance with the flood map that was in effect at the time of construction, according to FloodSmart.gov.

Enjoy your protection

Your flood insurance rates might increase as a result of remapping, but at least you’ll have coverage if the worst should happen.

Even homeowners in lower-risk areas should consider purchasing protection and could qualify for Preferred Risk Policies. In fact, 20% of flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-low risk areas.

The average flood insurance claim from 2008 to 2012 was nearly $42,000, so purchasing coverage isn’t a bad bet. Even if your lender doesn’t require you to purchase flood insurance, flood protection could save your house from high water and you from taking a financial bath.

For more information on flood insurance in Hingham, MA, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

zillow.com