The hard sell on home warranties is on TV and in your mailbox. Some of the direct mail items look like bills or seem to be from a utility company. All share the scary stories about how owning a home is now a nightmare because of repairs. The answer is buying a home warranty product. This a truly a time to read before you buy. Do not rely on the advertising, look at the actual product to see what is being offered. Limits Can Be Low These products have specific limits for eac

For most insurance companies, the frequency of water damage claims is the leading claim type. The costs of these events can be staggering. The level of disruption caused by the damage is often an additional source of claim dollars and lost time and revenue. The Exposure The exposure to a water damage claim is present in any building. From bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances, laundry equipment, heating and cooling systems and host bibs in your home, any failure of these can

Smoke Damage after a Fire – A potential total Loss? The insurance business is based on the law of large numbers and the use of historic data to guide its decision making. The past history of fire losses have treated smoke damage as a secondary issue. It meant smoke damage after a fire was a cleanup issue and if needed seal with a coating to make it go away. The primary issues were appearance and odor. This approach was based on a hundred years of experience with fires that w

The recent increase in home values on the market has many homeowners looking at the value of their homes. One of the most important...

The electronic picture frame was a Christmas present. It was made in China. Is this safe to plug in and leave powered up 24/7? That...

Social media and the news feeds are full of stories with insurance companies cancelling policies. This headline makes for a strong click...

The ongoing wildfires in southern California have highlighted this hazard and the tragic results brought international attention. The...

The insurance industry has a long history of being reluctant to pay for claims related to water damage. Claims of water damage can be...

Chimneys and vent pipes are an important part of the safety system for your home or business. These devices remove the products of...

Lithium-ion batteries have become the standard power source for most portable devices. The technology allows for a powerful power source...

Fire extinguishers are present in all commercial occupancies and in most homes. Commercial vehicles are also equipped with portable fire...

Most homeowners’ insurance policies focus on the replacement value of the home itself. There are numerous tools used by insurance...

Recent flood events in Eastern Kentucky and the West Coast have returned flood headlines to the front pages of every media outlet. These...

Why you need an insurance agent...

Winter can be a tough season on your home or business. Some preparation can make your season warmer and without the frozen pipes, ice...

Greater Cincinnati has a rich architectural history. Our neighborhoods are blessed with examples of historic buildings and structures. We...

The Trends Data from the National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org) shows that cooking is the leading cause of both fires and...

What coverage is needed? When a building suffers a significant property loss, there is the potential that the code officials will require...

Roofs do a lot for your building. Beyond keeping you dry they also are an important structural element. Damage or deterioration of the...

Valuation is obviously a key part to property insurance. The insurance company will routinely do an “Insurance to Value” calculation and...