Why You Need Renters Insurance and How to Get It
One of the best parts about renting is that the landlord has to worry about things like faulty plumbing or repairing a leaky roof. But the landlord won’t take care of everything. If that leaky roof lets in water that damages more than just your personal belongings, you could be responsible to replace all the items out of your own pocket. You can mitigate the fallout of an unexpected event like water damage or a break-in by protecting yourself with renters insurance.
The average renters insurance policy only costs around $12 a month. At that price, it’s surprising that more renters aren’t protecting themselves. An Insurance Information Institute poll found that while 96 percent of homeowners have homeowners insurance, only 31 percent of renters have renters insurance. When you can insure your property for less than the cost of one latte per week, it’s surprising that more renters don’t take advantage of it.
Benefits of Renters Insurance
Liability Protection: If someone were to slip and fall or otherwise injure themselves while visiting you, would you be able to help cover their medical costs? You would if you had renters insurance. Most policies include coverage for personal liability that will help with medical and legal expenses resulting from any injuries that occur in your home.
Property Replacement: Paying to replace stolen or damaged property can get pretty expensive. A renters insurance policy will cover the replacement cost, allowing for full retail value in most cases.
Coverage for Damage to Other Units: If your bathtub overflows and leaks into the apartment below, causing damage to your neighbor’s furniture or flooring, a renters insurance policy will cover the expense to repair any damage.
How to Get Started
Now that you understand the minimal cost involved and the benefits of renters insurance, it’s time to get a policy. The best place to start is with your current insurance company. If you already have an auto policy with someone, call your agent to see what they offer for renters. You’ll probably get an even better deal for having multiple policies with one insurance provider.
Your premium will vary depending on how much coverage you need. To figure out the value of your possessions, take an inventory of each room. Include smaller items like clothing, books, movies, music, dishes, silverware, and barware. When you add up all the big stuff like your TV and stereo system plus the smaller items, you’ll probably find out that you are right in line with the average renter, who has about $30,000 worth of possessions. If you have valuables, expensive electronics or music equipment, getting an appraisal may be to your benefit.
Other factors might contribute to the type and cost of your renters policy, such as where you live, whether or not you own a dog, and the size of your deductible. To make sure that you get the most coverage for the best price, get more than one quote from multiple insurance agencies. Compare a few different options and then select the one that makes the most sense for your needs and budget.
10 Things to Check Before You Buy a Home
Many of us have learned the hard way that there are some very important things that should be checked before signing the papers to buy a new home. You will have to have a professional do an inspection and look over the place to make sure the home is termite and flood damage free. Here are 10 things fall into a different category - the immediate to-do list. You can even do these the first time you go see a house.
Even though there will always be cosmetic changes to make to a new home, trying to avoid costly repairs upon first moving in is always smart. Being able to save that money for the living room set of your dreams (or simply for gas and groceries!) is a big deal. Here are a few things we suggest checking into before you sign the papers and inherit all of the previous tenants past problems.
1. Check The Drains: This might sound silly, but many people have had homes with the same issues in the last several years. Somewhere between the house and the sewer line, there's a backup. Usually tree branches or a collapsed pipe, but either way, it's hard to spot unless you run a load of laundry, fill up the tub and sinks and let them all attempt to drain at the same time. This is tedious, but worth it! Sometimes a bottle of Drain-O can fix it, other times, you need a plumber!
2. Open All The Windows: Replacing windows isn't fun and it isn't cheap either. Open them all to find out if they stick, are stuck or just plain old won't open. While open, look inside the sill for any water damage to the wood.
3. Turn On All The Faucets: Although changing out faucets isn't exactly rocket science it's always a pain to lay under a cabinet and reach for the sky with funny tools to get things removed. Just check to make sure they all work, and don't leak, before buying to eliminate any additional costs.
4. Light A Fire In The Fireplace: Even though chimneys are usually installed by professionals, that doesn't mean they're always in tip top shape. Cleaning them is as simple as a phone call to a local chimney sweep, but finding out if all the fireplaces in the home draft correctly is another. To be safe, have this checked out by the inspector as well and be prepared to call in the chimney experts!
5. Taste The Water: This lesson is always learned the hard way. Even if your city has great water, your pipes might be old enough that they'll send a little extra something out of the tap and into your glass. Knowing up front if you'll need to install a whole house filter or invest in a few Brita pitchers is always helpful and keeps a funny taste out of your mouth!
6. Flush The Toilets: Knowing that all the toilets in the home can handle toilet paper is a plus. Although they're easy enough to replace or fix, finding ones that flush well are a bonus. If you're dissatisfied with the toilet, the previous owner could issue you money back to make the replacement, or replace it themselves, in order to get you to sign on the dotted line!
7. Open The Electrical Panel: A clean and labeled panel is a happy place. Something that looks like squirrels got up inside can signal trouble. Look for loose wires or ones that simply don't connect to anything. It could signal that there's live wires inside the walls!
8. Turn On The Heat/Air: Knowing that both of these things work prior to actually needing them can be a serious bonus. Check to make sure they blow their respective temperatures in addition to just turning on.
9. Pull The Carpet Back: Before you move in, you'll want to find out if there's hardwood floors and also any mold or mildew under the carpets. Look for the lowest side of the room and if possible pull a corner back. Many homeowners will have a section of carpet removed in a closet to allow you to see the condition of the floors below.
10. Basement Moisture: Although most home inspectors will do this one out for you, look for signs of dampness. Even if the walls aren't apparently wet, look for things like dehumidifiers, piles of silica or other things that grab moisture from the air and keep it at bay. Check in the garage and basement for any water lines on the walls. If the home owners are smart enough to move these things, look for places near outlets that look clean (or leave a dust ring) where something like this might have been.
First-Night Box
Your first night in your new place, chances are, you’re not going to be able to unpack and organize your new home the day of the move. Pack a labeled box with all of your first-night essentials and load it last so it’s the first thing off the truck. Better yet; keep it in your personal vehicle.
Some ideas you might want to include: toilet paper, toiletries, medications, snacks, basic cleaning supplies, COFFEE and coffee maker, a first-aid kit, a utility knife, pet supplies, a night light for the kids, bedding, disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
It is also a good idea for each member of the family to pack a small bag that contains personal belongings that they might need for the first couple of days. Just pack as if you’re going on a short trip! This way everyone has a change of clothes and anything else they might need.
If you have kids, make sure they have access to their favorite stuffed animal, special blanket, favorite toys, etc. Give them a new flashlight, or nightlight, to make them feel safer in their new home. Pack a good book or two and help get them back into routine.
Food Drive
Please help us FILL OUR TRUCK for the holiday season! Drop off non-perishable donations anytime between now and December 12. Mon-Fri 8-5 and Saturday 8-12. We will be having an all day event Dec 12 from 8-4 at our location!! Please share so we can help the less fortunate this holiday season!
Additional Drop off Locations:
Cafe 38
First Act Bakery
Kids Play Museum
More to come......
Simplifying Your Moving Day With Babies or Toddlers
While childcare is convenient for moving day, hiring a babysitter is not always an option. Some parents may prefer to keep babies and toddlers close for stability during this transitional time. On moving day, you may find yourself juggling the responsibilities of parenthood with managing belongings and directing movers.
Moving day doesn’t need to be stressful when you have young children. With a little extra preparation, you can put together a successful move, while keeping little ones comfortable and out of the way.
Prepare in Advance
First, have as much of the furniture and boxes as possible in easy-to-access locations. Remember, while preparing to get your items together, the closer to the front of the home, the better. This will prevent movers from having to wade through your belongings or trip over children to get things loaded into the truck.
Pack and load your child’s things last. This way, they will be easily accessed longer before the move, and will be among the first things unloaded and ready to set up in your new place.
Organize a Child Moving Day Pack
While you finish up those last day-before packing jobs, set aside one or two days’ worth of essentials in a small bag that’s easily carried and tossed in the car.
The moving pack for your baby or toddler might include:
o Food or snacks
o A couple bottles or sippy cups
o Formula, water, or other drinks
o 3 or 4 changes of clothes
o Diapers and wipes
o A few familiar toys and books
Having these items ready in one go-to location will make meeting baby’s needs easier at this busy time.
Pick a Central Location with Activities
With things and people coming and going, you’ll want your little one in an easily supervised, yet safe location. A playpen is a great choice, especially for older infants and toddlers. Many playpens are compact, include wheels for easy transportation, and are quickly packed away.
For younger babies, a blanket on the floor or a bouncer may be a great place. For little ones needing more attention, try hanging toys nearby or putting on some fun relaxing music for your baby to listen to.
If your child is in another room napping during the loading process, you might want to consider an audio or video baby monitor so you can hear (or see) when your little one needs you.
Find Balance in Stimulation
Each child needs different levels of stimulation. Some are content to watch people and look around. Others, especially once past the newborn stage, need more interaction from people and things. Small, age-appropriate activities and toys in a playpen can help entertain older babies and toddlers while mom or dad is busy.
If your television is packed away, a tablet or laptop on a chair or table makes a great option for your child to watch favorite shows.
Choose Carrying Options
There are times when children, especially infants, need to be held. For those moments, you may want to think about one of the following options:
o Wraps
o Front carriers
o Slings
o Backpack carriers
These options make multitasking easier by allowing parents to use their hands for other tasks while keeping their baby close and secure. However, they aren’t recommended if you need to lift and carry heavy objects.
Simplify Mealtime
Food is an important routine that often comforts us. Meals with small children, however, can be messy. To minimize cleanup during and after the moving process, consider these suggestions for easier feeding:
o Set your baby’s food aside in advance where it won’t accidentally get packed or thrown away.
o Choose normal foods your child enjoys to increase security.
o Select foods that don’t require refrigeration or cooking.
o Keep plenty of easy snacks handy.
o Consider a treat to make the day special.
o Use disposable dishes, utensils, and bibs.
o Have a pack of baby wipes ready for easy cleanup.
If your table is already packed and moved, you may want to lay an old sheet on the floor and eat there. With a quick shake outside, the sheet can be rolled up and stashed in the car.
Plan Ahead for Peace of Mind
With a few extra steps, moving day will pass smoothly for both you and your children. Follow these tips and reduce the stress in your family’s move.