Homeowners should always be aware of their home insurance policy and what is covered, as not all policies are created the same. Your personal belongings are generally covered under home insurance, but not always in the same way or to the same extent as you might expect. There are two main options when it comes to covering your personal belongings under home insurance : actual cash value and replacement cost value. Actual Cash Value vs Replacement Cost Value Both cash value policies and replacement cost policies cover your belongings from the same dangers, but the way compensation is calculated is different. For an actual cash value policy, depreciation is taken into account when the insurer’s claims adjuster is investigating the claim. This means that as the value of your items goes down over time, or depreciates, so does the amount of compensation you can receive in a claim. For example, say you purchase a $2,000 watch and insure it under home insurance. Over the years, its value depreciates. By the time the watch is stolen, it was only work $500. When you file a claim at this time, you will receive closer to $500 in compensation for the watch despite what its original value was due to depreciation. On the other hand, a replacement cost value policy does not account for depreciation. Instead, a replacement cost value policy provides compensation so that you may replace it with an item of similar or identical value. This type of policy is generally more expensive, but it is also more likely to allow you to replace your belongings in total after an incident. Which Policy is Best? The type of policy that is best depends on you and your belongings. Keep in mind that there are certain limitations under both policies, as well. Most home insurance policies do not cover damage or loss caused by floods or earthquakes. There is also limited coverage for expensive items such as jewelry, furs, art and electronics. If you have expensive items such as these, you may need additional policy floaters. Policy floaters allow you to fill in the gaps on your personal belongings coverage and insure your high value items more effectively. Speak with an agent to protect your personal belongings within your home. It is crucial to make sure that your items are protected so that you don’t have to pay for repairs or replacements out of pocket after an accident.

Every business needs business insurance – even small ones. Why? All businesses have risks. And it’s a fact that the right coverage for your small business can make or break your company if a covered incident occurs. Insurance is all about protecting your assets. And no matter how careful you are with every aspect of your business, unexpected disasters happen. You just don’t have control over them. But whether it is fire, flood or theft, an insurance policy take cares of that for you. Here are five tips to help you select the right policy. Make sure to discuss all potential losses to your agent. That $3,000 aquarium display in your lobby might not look much to your agent, so she might scratch it of as something “less valuable.” So be sure to specify the real value of all your assets in case any accidents occur. Discuss in length your full inventory to your agent. Coverage should replace all lost or damaged equipment with the same, or at least comparable, items instead of getting items of a depreciated value. We’ve heard some horror stories about company equipment getting replaced by cheaper versions, so be sure to discuss in great detail the value and the replacement potential of all your current inventory. Get worker’s compensation insurance. An accident in the workplace can cost you a lot of money. It will require you to pay all medical bills and lost wages, or face a lawsuit by a begrudged injured employee. Worker’s comp can cover these situations, saving you the expenses of work accidents. Consider a package deal, such as a business owner’s policy (BOP). It’s usually cheaper and can cover a long list of your concerns in one easy bundle with one premium payment. Hire an independent insurance agent. They are not bound by a single company, so they can broaden their horizons and really shop around. The insurance industry is vast and there are lots of factors involved. But the independent agent knows his stuff, and can really give you the best policy your business deserves. So now that you know about small business insurance. It’s time for you to contact that dependable agent of yours and start purchasing that perfect coverage for you!

A smart home is one that provides information and communicates with you no matter where you are. These are growing in popularity today. A wide range of versions are available. Each one seems to do something unique. If you are thinking about the investment in a smart home system of any type, it helps to know what the benefits are. In some cases, they can reduce theft risks and, as a result, lower home insurance costs. What Type of System Is Right for You? If you hope to improve your home’s security, there are a few types of smart home systems to take into consideration. First, learn about the various brands and how they work. Then, determine what could help at your home. Here are some key ideas and options. Doorbell cameras – Replacing the traditional doorbell, these cameras allow you to receive a message whenever someone approaches the door. You can interact with the people outside your door. These do not prevent someone from coming in but do take pictures of those who step in their range of view. Security cameras – An excellent option for those who want more security, home security cameras are always active. The latest models have night vision and allow for two-way communication. Most importantly, they sound an alarm and alert you if someone steps into the warning area. Security monitoring – This is the highest level of safety-oriented home automation. It uses security cameras along with other types of sensors. When a trigger occurs, such as someone opening the door, it alerts a company monitoring the home. They can send help immediately. \Door and window sensors – These detect when the door or a window opens. These small sensors are hard to see. Yet, they communicate a significant amount of information immediately. Glass break sensors – Some sensors even detect when glass breaks. If it senses this, it can send an alert so you can take action. As smart home features, they work by sending messages to your smartphone or computer. You can then choose to call the police or warn the person to leave your property. In this way, they increase your home security. If you decide to install one of these systems, be sure to tell your home insurance agent about it. With more information about how it works, they may recognize the benefits. This can help you to reduce your home insurance costs. However, not all systems qualify. Be sure to work with your agent to find the best way for your home. 

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you have to confine your workouts to a gym. There are plenty of tips and tricks that outdoor runners use to continue exercising through fall and winter. And while hot summer weather can tire you quickly, cooler weather stimulates your senses. Plus, you burn more calories during winter runs because you tend to run faster. Let’s look at a few tips for keeping your body temperature up during winter exercise. Plan a route: Select a running route with stable footing, as free of snow and ice as possible. Your route should be well lit and plowed, which usually makes afternoons a good time for a run. Many runners select a path that is looped so it’s easy to quit early if you need to without having to turn around and run back a lengthy trail to get home. Dress appropriately: Layering your clothing is perfect for cold weather because you can remove items as your body warms up. Or, to warm your body quicker so you can wear fewer layers, you can throw your exercise clothes in the dryer for a few minutes before dressing. By the time the fabric cools, your body will be creating its own warmth. One more trick is to wear mittens instead of gloves to keep more warmth in your hands. Warm up: Many runners find it helpful to warm up indoors before heading out for a run. Jog in place or do some basic calisthenics for five to ten minutes to help prevent pulled muscles. This helps your body adjust before hitting the colder temperatures. Stay hydrated: Though you may not sweat quite as much as you do during summer, winter runners still sweat and need to drink plenty of water. A handy tip is to store your water bottle inside of your jacket or sweatshirt to keep it from freezing along the way. Cool down: If you’ve been sweating and you suddenly slow down, the wind can easily give you chills since your skin and clothing are wet. Keep cool downs very short and head back home for indoor stretching. Your wellness is our priority. Call Skogman Insurance for more information on health insurance .