Premiums are soaring due to climate risks, which helps to sideline buyers who may have intended to invest in property mitigation measures. That’s a loss for the entire housing market.
Rising home insurance premiums are making it increasingly difficult to achieve homeownership in America, experts said Thursday at an affordable housing symposium in Washington, D.C., hosted by the National Housing Conference. “Premiums are increasing faster than property values,” said Michael Butchko, vice president of business intelligence at Neighborworks America. He pointed to research from Policygenius(link is external), an online insurance marketplace, showing that home insurance premiums nationwide increased an average of 21% year over year in May—translating to an annual hike of $244. In some areas, premiums spiked 50%, according to Policygenius. These escalating insurance costs are forcing some would-be home buyers out of the market and some homeowners to sell. Major insurance providers are canceling policies and pulling out of areas of the country prone to natural disaster, further leaving homeowners in a bind. Some owners are “going naked,” paying off their mortgage early to avoid the homeowner’s insurance requirement by their lender. The rising cost of insurance is an affordable housing issue,” said Thom Amdur, senior vice president of policy and impact at investment firm Lincoln Avenue Communities, adding that frequent and intensifying climate events, surging construction costs, inflation, and declining competition in the insurance marketplace are putting upward pressure on premiums. The hikes aren’t just hurting homeowners but also developers, which could lead to fewer affordable housing projects, he said. Measuring Future Risk to PropertyTechnology and data can point to the areas at greatest risk of wildfires, hurricanes, wind damage, storm surge, earthquakes, flooding and snowstorms, said Peter Carroll, head of public policy at CoreLogic. Data models also can project 15 to 30 years out, using different climate change scenarios. “Technology can provide powerful measurements of possible underinsured losses for any property,” Carroll said. But, he cautioned, “risk profiles could shift in 15 or 30 years from now, and we could fundamentally see different risk profiles on properties. So, we can’t just look and price out properties based on the risks today. We need to look into the future so that we know where the puck is heading. People who think they don’t need insurance today may need it later on.” Starting next year, Lincoln Avenue Communities will cull data to build out a scorecard for each of its projects, factoring in climate and other risks. “Then we can design mitigation upfront to address any concerns,” Amdur said. He emphasized the importance of “de-risking” real estate portfolios and showing insurers the mitigation steps taken—which may help lower insurance premiums. Consumers also want data to gauge climate risks, with recent surveys indicating an increased concern among the public about how climate events impact housing. Still, that hasn’t changed where home buyers choose to live, said Nicole Bachaud, a senior economist at Zillow. Affordability challenges continue to drive buyers to high-risk areas, where home prices tend to be more moderate. But financial constraints may prevent buyers from retrofitting their property to mitigate climate risks. “Data transparency is huge and giving people access to this type of information to know the risks,” Bachaud said. “But we also need to follow up with what you can do. Consumers need to understand that this will continue to harm housing markets and affordability. We really need to have a mindset shift. That will be a game-changer to see more resilient housing choices in the future.” Preparing the Housing StockPanelists shared a range of ideas to solve the insurance conundrum, including mandatory flood insurance to shore up capital reserves and government backstops to increase the supply of insurance. They also spoke about greater funding and tax credits or other incentives to make communities more resilient to climate change. While their ideas varied, panelists agreed that strengthening the nation’s housing stock against climate events can help drive down insurance costs over the long-term. Stronger building codes are correlated with lower mortgage delinquencies following a disaster, CoreLogic data shows. “We need to start thinking about incentives or building codes that have a more adaptive response to climate risks so we have the right mitigation techniques in place,” Carroll said. “We need to consider the retrofits that can be made to ensure a home is more resilient to future events. We also need innovative financing that makes it easier and affordable for low- to moderate-income families to do resiliency retrofits to their homes.” Amdur said that doesn’t necessarily mean shying away from high-risk areas; preserving the housing stock is still important. “It’s not impossible to build resiliency into areas with higher risk,” he said. His company still takes on projects in coastal areas: “We just need to know the risks upfront and then build it in.” That could mean new design standards, such as removing mechanical systems from the ground floor, installing flood barriers and following updated landscaping guidelines to decrease wildfire risks. Bachaud said climate risk should be weighed more heavily in future developments. “We should be using climate as a lens of where we focus new communities,” she said. “Places that have less risk—climate havens—will become more popular as people are forced to flee places that have been damaged or where they can no longer afford to pay for the insurance on their homes. We need to be strategic in how we approach the future of housing supply and address ways to mitigate climate risks.”
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Credit is an important financial factor in modern life, necessary for making large purchases and borrowing money.
What many people don’t realize, though, is that your credit score can also affect things unrelated to loans, like your insurance coverage and rates. That’s why it’s essential to know what impacts your credit history and score (and what doesn’t). Read this to learn the truth behind four common credit myths. Myth #1: Carrying a credit card balance will improve your score. While debt utilization (the percentage of your total available credit in use at any given time) matters, carrying a balance won’t necessarily help your score — and could hurt it. Carrying a balance also means having to pay interest on it, which is why paying off your card’s balance in full each month is best, if you can manage it. Myth #2: Checking your credit history will lower your score. When you apply for a loan and the lender checks your credit, that’s a hard inquiry, which can affect your score (especially if multiple credit checks happen within a short period). But you can make a soft inquiry to check your own credit report and score without penalty. Myth #3: Closing a credit account will improve your score. The age of your credit accounts and your credit utilization ratio are both factors in calculating your score. Closing a credit card, especially a longtime account, can actually hurt your score temporarily. It’s generally better to leave a credit card open and unused than to close it. Myth #4: You can quickly improve your credit. Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix for your credit history. Certain events, like bankruptcy or foreclosure, may stay on your credit report for years. Other factors, like high credit utilization, simply take time to improve. But the upside is that you can rebuild your credit over time with sustained effort and good habits. Get in touch if you have questions about your insurance policy or need to make changes to your coverage. Burn injuries in the United States lead to over 400,000 people needing care each year. Yet, with simple lifestyle changes and safety measures most home burns can be prevented. Below are a few tips to help you and your family avoid burn injuries.
Monitor the condition of electrical cords Electrical fires are a common cause of injuries resulting from burns. Be sure that the quality of your cords is being maintained and always throw away electrical cords that are damaged or broken. Make sure to check for damage frequently and never overload your outlets, power strips, or electrical circuits. For increased safety, experts advise installing safety caps on electrical cords and storing them out of reach. Use space heaters carefully Make sure to have enough fixed space around your heaters. When you leave the room or turn in for the night, always switch off heating devices. Experts recommend keeping all flammable materials, like curtains, blankets or towels at least three feet away from your heaters. Practice burn safety in your kitchen Burn accidents happen frequently in the kitchen. While cooking, never leave your food unattended and keep the stove area clear of all flammable materials. Make sure to keep your cooking area clean - grease and debris can quickly cause a fire emergency. Never use an oven to heat your home and always turn off cooking appliances when you are finished using them. Check your fire alarms frequently The US Fire Administration recommends checking your smoke detector as often as once a month, changing batteries every 6 months and replacing the alarm itself every 10 years. If the batteries are not working, make sure to change them immediately. Test the temperature of your water and hot liquids Not all burns are caused by fire.Extremely hot liquids could seriously harm you and your family members. Make sure to set your water thermostat to a maximum of 120 degrees and always check the temperature of hot liquids you consume or touch. Never leave candles unattended Candles can quickly become a fire and burn hazard. Always put them out before leaving your home or if they are in reach of your kids or pets, and make sure there are no flammable materials around. What to do if you get a burn Although by following fire and burn safety guidelines most home burns can be avoided, accidents do happen. Here are a few tips on what to do if you or your family member gets a burn: Run the burn under cool or lukewarm water To prevent the burn from spreading and gaining severity, run the affected spot under cool or lukewarm water for at least 20 minutes. Remove any wet clothing or jewelry from the site of the burn to avoid irritation. Avoid using home remedies Using home remedies, such as putting ice or using non-prescribed ointments on your wound can actually make the duration and intensity of the burn worse. Avoid self-treatment and stick to the guidance offered by medical professionals. Call 911 or your medical provider No matter the severity of the burn, it's always best if it can get checked out by a medical professional. Experts recommend calling your medical provider (or 911 in the case of potentially severe injuries) immediately after the accident so you can get the right treatment and avoid the burn from getting worse. Call us (508) 540-2601 for more advise and best insurance covers to protect you and your family. Most homeowners would probably love to reduce their utility bills while making a positive impact on the environment. Does that sound like you?
Good news: Installing a renewable energy system in your home can provide clean electricity and heat while lowering or eliminating your energy bills. However, there are upfront costs and other considerations involved. Want to learn about your options for renewable energy systems? What are the options for renewable energy?
What to Consider Before Installing a Renewable Energy System Check with local and state governments for any regulations you need to follow. The company you choose for installation should also be able to help you research and understand:
How to Determine Your Electricity Needs Be sure you know how much electricity you’ll need your system to generate by calculating your current consumption. You may be able to get this information from your utility company or renewable energy company. You can also get a close estimate by multiplying the wattage of each appliance in your home by the approximate number of hours it’s used per day. Reach out if you have questions about how your homeowners insurance policy may be affected by the installation of a renewable energy system. No matter what else winter may bring, you’re probably experiencing lower temperatures this time of year.
That’s why this season can bring a specific set of challenges for your home and car. Snow and ice, heating systems, fire safety, pipes and tires should all be top of mind during the colder months. Keep reading for 12 tips on staying safe at home and on the road when the thermostat is at its lowest. Stay Safe and Warm at Home
Drive Safely This Winter
If you have questions about winter safety or your insurance policies, reach out today. If your home is destroyed by a fire or other catastrophe, will you be able to rebuild it?
Learn what a reconstruction cost estimate is and how to calculate it for your home. What is a reconstruction cost estimate? Your reconstruction cost estimate (also known as your dwelling coverage limit) is part of your homeowner’s insurance policy. It refers to the cost of rebuilding your home and any attached structures as they were before a total loss. The most important thing to know about a reconstruction cost estimate is that it’s not the same as your house’s current market value. How is it calculated? The simplest way to determine your home’s reconstruction cost estimate is to look up the average per-foot rebuilding costs (labor and materials) where you live. Multiply that per-foot cost by the square footage of your home and any attached structures. Reconstruction Cost Estimate vs. Home Appraisal A home appraisal looks at the real estate market in your area and comparable properties to determine a sale price for your house based on its location, condition and other relevant factors. In contrast, a reconstruction cost estimate is solely about the price of labor and materials. If you had to build your home from the ground up, to resemble its current condition, what would it cost? It’s important to choose the right amount of dwelling coverage, or you could be left with out-of-pocket costs for the difference between your coverage limit and the actual reconstruction cost. What’s the difference between a reconstruction cost and a replacement cost? The replacement cost for your home refers only to the price of labor and materials. Reconstruction cost accounts for additional costs related to rebuilding such as demolition, debris removal, and more. Have questions about your dwelling coverage limit? Just reach out, and we’ll be happy to help. You may be the kind of person who fires up the grill all year long at tailgating parties, or maybe you wait for a warm summer day and a backyard full of friends before you put on your apron. Either way, grilling can be one of life’s simple pleasures.
Unfortunately, where there is fun there is also the potential for safety issues. For example, did you know that leaving the grill unattended, not cleaning grease or fat build up properly, or placing the grill too close to combustible siding can cause injuries, fires and property damage? Charcoal or Gas? Nearly 9,000 home fires a year involve grills, according to a National Fire Protection Association report. Of all the home fires involving grills, gas-fueled grills accounted for four out of five fires, while 16% involved charcoal or other solid-fueled grills.¹ Gas and charcoal grills each have ardent advocates, who praise the convenience of gas or the flavor of charcoal. Whichever your preferred grilling method, follow these important safety considerations. Gas Grill Safety A leak or break was the leading factor contributing to gas grill-related fires, according to the NFPA report.
Charcoal Grill Safety The leading cause of structure fires from use of charcoal grills was leaving or placing an object that could burn too close to the grill, according to the NFPA study.
Here are some other important tips to help you keep danger away when you are enjoying food and fun. Choose a safe location for your grill. Keep grills on a level surface more than ten feet away from the house, garage or other structures. Keep children and pets away, as well as overhanging branches. Grills should not be used on a balcony or under an overhang. Avoid placing grills too close to combustible deck rails. Grill outside only. Never use a grill in a garage, vehicle, tent or other enclosed space, even if ventilated, due to risk of harmful carbon monoxide buildup. Keep the grill going on a cold day. During cool weather days, avoid wearing a scarf or other loose clothing that may catch on fire. Consumer Reports recommends shielding the grill from wind, placing it about ten feet from combustible surfaces and materials, and keeping the lid closed to retain as much heat as possible. Allow extra time for pre-heating the grill in colder weather and check temperatures of meat and fish with a meat thermometer to ensure that food is safe to eat. Teach kids to stay safe. Make a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the grill and areas where hot food is prepared or carried. Children under five are especially vulnerable to burns from contact with a hot grill surface. Grill contact accounted for 37% of burns seen at emergency rooms in 2014 involving children under five. Remember post-grilling safety. Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill. If you grill with charcoal and need to dispose of the coals, soak them in water to extinguish them before disposing in a metal container. Otherwise, cover the grill tightly and close the vents, this should extinguish the coals and whatever is left will be ready for next time. Moving to a new place is certainly exciting, but it can also be stressful — and expensive. Once you factor in things like movers, packing materials, truck rentals, gas and more, the costs can creep into the hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars, for just a single move.
Are you planning a move soon? Don't want to break the bank in the process? Fortunately, a little forethought and creativity can help in that department. Here are five ways to help reduce your costs and keep a tight rein on your moving budget: 1. Shop Around for a Moving Company Moving companies typically charge hundreds of dollars for their services, plus extra for things like gas, mileage and larger items like pianos and furniture. If you're going to hire a professional mover, shop around first. Get quotes from at least three different moving companies, and double-check the line-item charges. Does the quote include the truck, all protective materials, gas, mileage and larger furniture items? Does it provide insurance coverage in case of damage to any items you’ll be moving? If not, learn what adding these will cost you if they become necessary. You can also consider local “mom and pop” moving teams or using an online service that matches freelance labor with local demand to help with everyday tasks. These come at a cost, of course, but are typically more affordable than a large moving company that has less flexible pricing. Another great way to reduce your cost is to schedule your move for the winter or fall, if that is an option for you, as that’s when demand for professional movers is typically low. Weekdays are also a good choice, as most people move on the weekends. A moving company may be willing to give you a better deal if you move during these low-demand times, as they may be less busy and looking to fill their schedule. It may be worth exploring these options. Pro tip: Consider doing a little research by checking out organizations online that provide consumer reviews of businesses. Before booking your movers, look at their reviews to get a sense of a company’s track record with other customers and try to verify that the company is legitimate. Note that none of these websites is a guarantee of a perfect experience, but they may help you with your decision. 2. Consider a DIY Move Depending on how much you have to move and how heavy or cumbersome the items are, you may want to consider forgoing professional movers altogether if it looks as if your belongings can be managed without hiring help. If you have dependable family and friends that are willing and able to help with the packing, loading and transport, you might consider offering pizza or a free meal as a token of your appreciation in exchange for their help. If you have larger items, consider renting a small rental truck for a few hours. Get the smallest size possible and be sure to fill up the fuel tank before you return the vehicle. (It may cost you more if you leave the rental truck in need of gas that the moving company must take care of itself. Pro tip: Plan so that you're not moving during rush hour. Heavy stop-and-go traffic can drive up your fuel costs as well as delay your move. 3. Only Move What You Need It's important to pare down your belongings before a move. That means donating, selling or throwing away any items you no longer use, need or plan to use in the future. For one, this reduces your load and, subsequently, your costs to move it. Additionally, if you’re motivated to sell some of your unwanted items, you can put those extra funds toward your moving costs — or use it toward the cost of furniture or decor for your new place. Here are some options for downsizing your household before you move:
Offloading some belongings will also make unpacking easier (not to mention faster). Pro tip: Measure your furniture and make sure it will fit in your new home, as well as through necessary access points. If it won't fit, sell it and consider using the funds for replacement furniture once you're in your new place. 4. Get Creative with Your Packing Buying boxes, bubble wrap, tape and packing peanuts can get expensive. Instead of purchasing these items, take a more creative approach and use things you already have. Sheets, towels, blankets and cloth napkins all work great as packing materials, and they all need to be packed up anyway, so why not use them? You can also use your own duffel bags, luggage, purses and backpacks rather than cardboard boxes. Once you run out of these items, try one of these resources for free or low-cost boxes:
Pro tip: Start saving the plastic and paper bags from your shopping trips. These make good packing materials and can even be used to help protect fragile items. 5. Track and Deduct Your Expenses If you're a member of the military (or someone in your household is) you may be able to deduct your moving expenses1 on your annual tax returns. To qualify, you'll need to be moving due to a permanent change of station. If you're eligible, you'll be able to deduct the costs of moving, storage, travel, lodging and other expenses you incur due to the move. Pro tip: Keep a detailed record of your moving costs if you qualify for this deduction. Save all your receipts and invoices and keep them somewhere safe until tax season rolls around. Don't Forget Are you moving to a new place? Don't forget to update your homeowners insurance policy. Use your move as an opportunity to ensure all your belongings, valuables and new property are protected. Contact your insurance agent to learn more about home insurance coverage and how it can safeguard your new home and family. Did you ever leave for work without turning down the heat on a blustery winter day? Or head out for a day trip in the middle of summer without dialing down the air conditioning for your dog? A smart thermostat can help you heat and cool your home more efficiently, monitor your energy consumption and let you control your home’s heating and AC systems from your smartphone, wherever you may be. These devices can help protect your home from damage caused by frozen pipes by alerting you if your home is getting dangerously cold. But there are also some important safety considerations.
How Smart Thermostats Work Unlike traditional and programmable thermostats, many smart thermostats learn and adapt based on temperature, humidity and your family’s behavior, including when you and your family are likely to be home, awake and asleep. Your smartphone acts as a remote control for your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, allowing you to change the temperature from wherever you have a signal. Another benefit includes automated notifications if the temperature in your home rises or falls above or below a set threshold. For homeowners who travel frequently or who own a second home, these devices offer the ability to remotely monitor their property. Key Considerations for Using Your Smart Thermostat During cold temperatures, with a more traditional thermostat, you turn down the temperature when you leave your home and dial it back up when you return. With a smart thermostat app controlled by your phone, you are able, and might be more motivated, to turn down your system to a low temperature to conserve energy from wherever you may be. But be wary as turning the thermostat down too low could result in frozen pipes, Travelers Risk Control professionals warn. Be sure to keep the temperature at 55°F or higher to help keep the interior of the floor and wall cavities, where water piping can be located, above freezing temperatures. As part of the Internet of Things, smart thermostats are also subject to hacking and privacy concerns. You may think there is less of a safety concern than with smart locks or other security-related smart devices, as there is less incentive for hackers to target these devices. However, smart thermostats can provide details about your daily comings and goings, which a thief could find insightful. A prudent step would be for homeowners to make sure their devices are hard-wired to the Internet, rather than relying on a Wi-Fi connection. Choose a strong password and evaluate any specific safety concerns before you decide to buy a smart thermostat. As with any smart device, make sure it is compatible with your other devices or hub because not all devices communicate well with each other. The packaging for these smart devices may not offer detailed installation instructions, so you may want to consult a professional to help install them properly. Conventional wisdom has long held that kitchens and baths sell homes. Those are also two of the more expensive areas to tackle for home improvement, but if you make sound design decisions and choose the right materials, you could end up making your home more appealing to potential buyers – and a more enjoyable place for you to live. And, if you’re handy, some of these ideas may even be great DIY (do-it-yourself) home projects. A study from the National Association of Realtors1 confirms that kitchens and baths still top the list of interior home improvement projects that appeal most to potential buyers. The survey ranked the projects by the percentage of the remodel cost that would likely be recovered based on the home’s resale value after the remodel. These five home improvements can potentially provide the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to ROI. 1. Complete Kitchen Renovation National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s (NARI®) cost estimate for the project: $68,000 REALTORS® estimated cost recovered: $40,000 Percent of value recovered from the project: 59% The look and feel of a kitchen can serve as shorthand for how up to date the owners have kept a house. Potential buyers have been known to rule out homes based on kitchens alone. Stainless steel appliances and granite countertops continue to be on many buyers’ checklists, especially those who want to move right in and start entertaining. The top reason for renovating a kitchen, cited by 24% of homeowners, was to upgrade worn-out surfaces, finishes and materials. According to the Remodeling Impact Report, 10% of realtors said a completely renovated kitchen most recently helped them clinch a deal, resulting in a closed sale. 2. Kitchen Upgrade NARI’s cost estimate for the project: $38,300 REALTORS® estimated cost recovered: $20,000 Percent of value recovered from the project: 52% A less expensive alternative to completely gutting a kitchen is an upgrade to the current design. Replacing dated appliances, refinishing cabinets and changing out tile backsplashes are some cost-effective updates that can still modernize a kitchen and make it more appealing to buyers. While 12% of realtors suggest that sellers completely remodel their kitchens, 57% have suggested a kitchen upgrade. Twenty percent of realtors have said a kitchen upgrade most recently helped complete a deal. In addition to the resale value, kitchen improvements can also help you enjoy your time in your home, with better functionality and livability cited by 29% of respondents as the most important result of their remodel. Travelers wants to help you protect the things that matter to you. We offer a wide breadth of products so you can be covered at home and on the road. 3. Bathroom Renovation NARI’s cost estimate for the project: $35,000 REALTORS® estimated cost recovered: $20,000 Percent of value recovered from the project: 57% Bathrooms are another place where a home can show its age, and potential buyers may hesitate at the cost and work involved in remodeling an outdated bathroom after buying a home. Still, while 33% of realtors have suggested sellers complete a bathroom renovation before completing a sale, only 4% said the project most recently helped them complete a deal. 4. New Bathroom NARI’s cost estimate for the project: $60,000 REALTORS® estimated cost recovered: $30,000 Percent of value recovered from the project: 50% A remodeling decision often driven by function rather than a desire to modernize, adding a new bathroom is nearly as expensive as completely remodeling a kitchen, but with less of a “wow factor” for potential buyers. With only 5% of realtors suggesting that sellers add a bathroom and only 1% saying the project most recently helped clinch a deal for them, this may be one project that makes more sense for homeowners planning to be in their homes for several years. 5. New Master Suite/Owners’ Suite NARI’s cost estimate for the project: $150,000 REALTORS® estimated cost recovered: $75,000 Percent of value recovered from the project: 50% The costliest project on the list, a new master suite or owner’s suite, is another project that may have greater value to you while living in the home rather than in making it attractive to future buyers. Sixty-five percent of respondents said they have a greater desire to be home since completing the project. Only 3% of realtors have suggested that sellers complete an owner’s suite before attempting to sell, and less than 1% said the project most recently helped clinch a deal for them. Still deciding where to focus your budget for home improvement? Make a list of the reasons you’re considering each project, and be sure to consider the impact on your home insurance, too. Want to attract future buyers and increase the value of your home? Kitchens and bathrooms remain a good place to start. If you plan to remain in your home for a number of years, you may want to update a bedroom, add a bathroom, convert a basement to a living area or tackle any other project that will add to your own appreciation of where you live. |
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