Insurance Basics When You're Buying a Home

Many of our clients begin house hunting during the Spring and Summer months. And, while you may know all the basics to getting a mortgage and finding the perfect house, many people have no clue where to begin in looking for homeowners insurance.

That's where we come in!

Home buying is a long and sometimes stressful process, but the insurance doesn't have to be. Here's how to make it incredibly simple.

When you find the right home and have an accepted offer, let your lender know that we'll be handling your insurance.

They'll typically send us the loan information, but you can speed up the process by calling us and letting one of our agents get all of the important details. We'll need to know things like what year the home was built, how many square feet, what construction materials, and other items like that.

Then we'll contact your lender to determine the closing date and the mortgagee clause. (You don't need to worry about this! Just let us know who is taking care of your loan and we'll handle the details.)

We'll get all of the insurance documents to your lender before the closing date and you'll be ready to go!

To save a little extra on your home policy, let us know about any security systems or if you'd like us to quote your auto insurance at the same time.

Home buying can be stressful, the insurance side is really simple with the right communication and team. Call us at 615-793-9000 today to discuss your new home.

Insurance for Your Boat

It won't be long now before you're back out on the water. Are you counting down the days?

While everyone loves to hit the lake on the boat, there are a few things you need to take care of first.

Are you properly covered?

A lot of people skip boat insurance in order to save money. However, that's a very risky idea!

First, without coverage, you're risking all the money you spent on your boat. Would you drive your expensive car without insurance? Probably not!

Second, boats are a liability exposure. That means that they open you up to lawsuits. If you were to have an accident and damage someone's boat or personal property, then you could be held responsible.

With the proper insurance coverage, you'd be protected! In fact, we typically recommend that clients with a high level of assets purchase extra liability coverage.

All in all, purchasing boat owners insurance is a simple way to give yourself a lot of peace of mind. Who wants to worry about insurance when they are out on the water?

Call us today at 615-793-9000 for a free quote on your boat or watercraft.

April Home Maintenance Tasks

 

April has arrived and brought Spring with it! There is no better time than now to get focused on home maintenance and Spring cleaning. Here are a few things you can do in April to protect (and organize) your home.

 

Check for Damage - Winter can be really hard on your home. A quick inspection around your property can reveal a lot of home improvement projects! Look for any damage to your roof or outdoor window screens and doors. Make note of chipped paint or areas that are in need of general maintenance. Decide what you can do yourself and what will require a professional.

 

Spring Clean - Now it's time to tackle the inside of your home. Start working on clearing out and donating unused items (think tax deduction next year!). This could be the perfect time to take inventory of any high value items that need to be documented for your insurance, like guns, artwork, and jewelry.

 

Organize Your Tax Documents - You probably just finished your taxes in the past few weeks. Were all of your documents easy to locate? What could make the process even easier next year? Update your filing system or schedule a meeting with your accountant and get prepared now.

 

Car Maintenance - April is Car Care Month. If you've been putting off an oil change or a tune-up, get it scheduled now. Your car will run better and maintain it's value longer!

 

Spruce Up Your Porch - How does your front porch look these days? Could it use a little extra care? Buy a new welcome mat, plant a pot of flowers, and make sure you can easily ready your house numbers.

 

Get Great Homeowners Insurance - The best way to protect your home? Having the right amount of insurance! Let us give you a no-obligation review of your current policy. Call 615-793-9000 to schedule your appointment today.