Tag: home insurance

  • Home Security Tips For The Holiday Season

    Home Security Tips For The Holiday Season

    Don’t let an intruder ruin your holiday season with these tips.

    The holiday season is one of the busiest travel times of the year. While packing your bag for your holiday vacation, it is important to think of your home security while you are away. Keep these home security tips in mind to ensure that your house stays safe and sound while you are away.

    • Lock up – with everything that you are doing to get out of your house, it can be easy to forget something simple, like making sure everything is locked tight. Right before you leave your house, make sure all of your doors and windows are locked, even those on the second story.
    • Light up – install sensor lights around the exterior of your house so that would-be thieves are not able to hide in the shadows. You should also install timers on a couple of lights inside your house to go off at different times so that your home does not stay dark the whole time you are away.
    • Pay up – make sure your bills are all paid before you leave, especially your electric bill. Not only will it help you to relax while you are on vacation, but it will also make sure that all electric systems in your house, including your alarm system, continue working while you are away.
    • Check up – ask a trusted neighbor or close friend to check up on your house periodically while you are away. Having someone go in and out of your house will help it look occupied, even if they are only visiting for an hour or two.

    Before you leave, take a look at your homeowners insurance policy to ensure you have the coverage you deserve while away. Contact the insurance professionals at Saks Insurance Agency in Mesa, Arizona for all of your home insurance needs this holiday season.

  • Importance Of Flood Insurance

    Importance Of Flood Insurance

    Don’t let the next Mesa, AZ flood ruin your house. Invest in flood insurance.

    When you invest in a homeowner’s insurance policy, it is easy to assume that you are covered in case of any unfortunate situation that you may run into. Flood insurance is not covered on your home insurance policy. You must purchase a separate flood policy to be covered for flood. Protecting your home and personal belongings with the right flood insurance policy can help to give you the peace of mind that you deserve.

    Even if you do not live near a body of water, your home is still at risk of experiencing a flood. All homes are built on some type of flood plain, and the degree of risk is based off of how high the threat is. Luckily, the premiums for your flood insurance policy if you live in a low to moderate flood risk zone will be much lower than if you live in a high-risk area.

    Standard flood insurance policies will cover damage that is done to the structure of your house, as well as any permanent structures, such as your water heater, air conditioner, and furnace. You also have the choice to invest in coverage for your personal property that you keep in your house, such as furniture and clothing. The more coverage you invest in, the higher your rates will be, but the better protected you will be.

    Keep in mind that flood insurance policies have a 30-day waiting period before they will become active, which means the sooner you invest in a policy, the sooner you can start enjoying your coverage.

    When looking for the right flood insurance policy that will provide the right amount of protection to meet all of your needs, contact Saks Insurance Agency in Mesa, Arizona.

  • New Technologies Working To Keep Your House Safe

    New Technologies Working To Keep Your House Safe

    Home Security Technologies

    The home security world has changed dramatically since its start. No longer do you have to be bothered by unsightly camera equipment and wires that run all around your house. New security systems and tools have become more accessible and affordable than ever while also being much smaller and discrete. Consider installing these security tools at your house to keep it safe.

    • Smart cameras – new security cameras can be tucked anywhere in your house and do not require any wires. You can see what is happening both inside and outside of your house on your computer or phone thanks to good battery life and Wi-Fi connections.
    • Key free doors – if you have friends or family coming into town, they no longer have to wait outside of your house until you get home from work. Keyless front doors allow people to get inside with a simple code that can be activated and deactivated depending on your needs.
    • Home automation – new technologies are allowing you to control almost every aspect of your house from anywhere in the world. New power outlets can connect to your phone so that you can control the power from your smartphone to ensure that you never leave your hair straightener on, or to turn on a light so that you do not have to come home to a dark house.

    Not only are these new security technologies helping to make your house much safer, but they can also help you save on your homeowners insurance policy. The less susceptible your house is to a break in, the lower your premiums will be.

    For all of your home insurance needs to ensure that you have the coverage that you deserve, all at the right price to fit your budget, contact the independent insurance professionals at Saks Insurance Agency in Mesa, Arizona.

  • Cover Your Furry Friend With The Right Umbrella Insurance Policy

    Cover Your Furry Friend With The Right Umbrella Insurance Policy

     

    Umbrella Coverage And Dog Bites

    When looking for ways to cut costs in your life, you may look towards your insurance policies. While you do not want to completely drop your coverage, you may think that skipping out on some coverage options can help you save money. However, each day hundreds of lawsuits are filed, which could leave you digging deep into your pockets to pay for an accident.

    One of the most common lawsuits that people overlook are dog bite lawsuits. While you may think that your furry friend is the most lovable dog around, your neighbor may not feel the same. Even the most well-behaved dogs can bite someone if they are scared or threatened. While your homeowners insurance policy may provide a limited amount of coverage, it’s limits can easily be reached if you are sued for the dog bite.

    The best way to ensure that you and your four-legged friends are protected from any peril is to invest in a personal umbrella insurance policy. Umbrella policies provide additional liability coverage that goes beyond the coverage that is provided by your other policies, including your auto and home insurance. Once the limits of your existing policies are reached, the liability that is provided by your umbrella insurance policy will then kick in to ensure that you do not have to cover the costs out of your own pocket.

    If your dog bites someone, you will not only be held responsible for their medical bills, but you can also be sued for pain and suffering and other damages. Since umbrella insurance policies start at $1 million in coverage, you can rest assured that you have the protection that you deserve in case of any unfortunate situation.

    To ensure that you and your entire family are protected with the right umbrella insurance policy, contact Saks Insurance Agency in Mesa, Arizona.

  • Are Your Trees in Trouble?

    Are Your Trees in Trouble?

    Tree Dangers

    Trees are a great way to help keep your house cool during the summer while also helping to increase the value of your home. However, if you do not properly care for your trees, they can cause serious and expensive damage to your house. Make sure to look out for these signs of trouble in the trees in your yard.

    • V-shaped forks in between branches are more likely to split in two and cause damage than U-shaped ones.
    • Trees that are leaning significantly or look one-sided are at danger at falling onto your property and causing damage.
    • Any limbs that can come in contact with overhead power lines can cause damage to your property, as well as cause damage to the power in your whole neighborhood.
    • If you find any cracks in major limbs or in the trunk of the tree, it can mean that there are structural issues with the tree.
    • Mushrooms that are growing from the bark of the tree can be an indication of a weakened or decaying tree.
    • Branches that cross over each other can rub against each and interfere with each other’s growth, which can weaken the tree overall.
    • Branches that hang over the roof of your house are much more likely to fall and damage your house.

    One of the best ways to prevent problems with your tree is to regularly prune it. However, over-pruning can lead to a significantly weaker tree. If you find that you have a damaged, diseased, or dead tree in your yard, can help to limit the spreading of any diseases, as well as reducing the possibility that the tree will damage your property.

    Having the right homeowners insurance policy can help to make sure that you and your home are protected in case of any damage that occurs. Contact Saks Insurance Agency in Mesa, Arizona for all your home insurance needs.

  • Try This Light and Delicious Spring Recipe!

    Try This Light and Delicious Spring Recipe!

    Summer Picnic in the BackyardSpring Recipe

    With the weather heating up, it is the perfect time to find a new light and healthy recipe that the whole family can enjoy together. Try out this delicious strawberry, pistachio, and goat cheese pizza recipe this season.

    You will need:

    • 1 12 ounce pre-baked pizza crust
    • 1/3 cup, or 3 ounces, crumbled goat cheese
    • 1 cup sliced strawberries
    • 1 cup trimmed watercress
    • ½ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
    • Pinch of salt
    • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
    • ¼ cup, or 1 ounce shaved fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
    • 3 tablespoons chopped shelled dry roasted pistachios

    Then you will need to:

    1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
    2. Place the pizza crust on the baking sheet, and bake at 425 degrees for 8 minutes. Take the crust out of the oven, and arrange the goat cheese evenly over the crust.
    3. Mix together the watercress, strawberries, olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper, and salt. Toss to gently coat all the ingredients. Arrange the strawberry mixture in an even layer over the goat cheese. Sprinkle the pizza with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and pistachios. Serve immediately and enjoy!

    While you are enjoying a delicious meal in your backyard this spring, it is the perfect time to look over your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure that you have the right amount of coverage for the season. Contact the insurance professionals at Saks Insurance Agency in Mesa, Arizona for all of your home insurance coverage needs.