Renting Out That Extra Room: Know Your Risks

Hands holding a miniature house model.

Home rental clearinghouses such as Airbnb and VRBO make it easy for homeowners to rent out a spare bedroom or a second home when they aren’t using it. This might sound like a good way to earn extra money. Before diving in, consider the risks and your insurance coverage. Continue reading “Renting Out That Extra Room: Know Your Risks”

Do You Need Travel Insurance?

Eiffel Tower with boats on the river.

Foreign travel checklist: Passport – check. Visa – check. Airline tickets – check. Hotel reservations – check. Health insurance coverage – ? Any foreign travel requires some planning. Since nothing can ruin a trip faster than an accident or unexpected illness, don’t forget to check how your health insurance coverage applies outside the U.S.! Continue reading “Do You Need Travel Insurance?”

Social Media and Your Liability Risks

Social media app icons on smartphone screen.

Should you worry about the content of your teen’s tweets or your spouse’s Pinterest posts? All it takes is for one tweet to veer away from commentary to defamation, or one image to invade another’s privacy, and you could face a lawsuit.

Continue reading “Social Media and Your Liability Risks”

How Your Credit Score Affects Your Insurance Costs

With the recession of the past few years, many individuals’ credit scores have taken a hit. In addition to affecting your ability to get a mortgage, loan or credit card, your credit score can also affect how much you’ll pay for your insurance. Continue reading “How Your Credit Score Affects Your Insurance Costs”

Protecting Your Family from Dog Bite Liability

Aggressive dog baring teeth outdoors.

The Insurance Information Institute (III) reported that dog bite claims cost an average of $24,461 in 2008 (the most recent figures available). If you own one or more dogs, do you have the insurance coverage to protect you from dog bite liability? Continue reading “Protecting Your Family from Dog Bite Liability”

Life Insurance: Why Group Benefits Aren’t Enough

Man holding family silhouette in hands.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 72 percent of all full-time employees in private industry had access to life insurance through their employer. Group life has its pluses, but most families will need additional coverage. Here’s why. Continue reading “Life Insurance: Why Group Benefits Aren’t Enough”

E-Cigarettes and Your Health

Person vaping with an electronic cigarette.

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are growing in popularity. How will they affect your health…and your insurance coverages?

Tobacco vs. E-Cigarettes

Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,700 chemical compounds, Continue reading “E-Cigarettes and Your Health”

Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide detector with bilingual labels.

Carbon monoxide poisoning causes an estimated 15,200 people to visit an emergency room or miss at least one day of work per year. But because carbon monoxide exposure creates nonspecific effects that are easily misdiagnosed, the actual toll of carbon monoxide poisoning is probably much higher. Continue reading “Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning”

Auto Insurance: How to Know What You Are Buying

Highway traffic at sunset with sunlight.

Personal risk management includes knowing your policies and what they cover. The following article will help you understand the various parts of your personal auto policy (PAP) and what to look for.

When you buy auto insurance, you enter into a legal contract with your insurer. Continue reading “Auto Insurance: How to Know What You Are Buying”