Home Insurance

5 Tips For Home Safety

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You should always focus on home safety in Overland Park, KS. At HighPointe Insurance Services LLC, we offer some tips to help you improve the safety in and around your home.

Purchase Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers should be readily available throughout your home. You should have one in the kitchen as well as at least one on every level of your home. Additionally, you should make sure that everyone inside your home knows how to operate them.

Talk with Children

Take the time to talk with all of your children about home safety. Make sure that they know what to do in the event of a fire, tornado, and various other natural disasters. They should all know how to call emergency services as well.

Handle DIY Projects

The various DIY projects that you have on your to-do list should be done in a timely fashion. Especially when it comes to fixing front steps or anything that person could get injured on, you want to put at the top of your list. Otherwise, you could end up with someone suing you for a liability claim.

Install a Security System

It’s a good idea to install a security system in your home, regardless of how safe your neighborhood might be. A security system should provide notifications of when windows and doors are open. The system should also be monitored so that if you are out of town, emergency personnel will be notified of a potential break-in.

Pick Up the Yard

It’s important to pick up your yard from time to time. If you have various items that can be moved around by the wind in Overland Park K,S, they become missiles when there is a storm. Additionally, they could be a trip hazard if you have someone come over.

When you want to get a customized home insurance policy, contact us at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC to speak with an independent insurance agent.

 

Spring Cleaning Tips

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One of the most common things to do during the spring is to take some time to do some spring cleaning. If you have gotten the fever or simply want some tips on how to make the most of the spring cleaning in Overland Park, KS, you have come to the right place. Use these tips from HighPointe Insurance Services LLC to get started. 

  • Dust everything. The first place you want to start is by dusting all around your home. If you have not dusted in a while, you may be surprised by how much has built up over the past few months. Get that out and you will start to breathe better inside. 
  • Decide on your spring cleaning project. While you may want to tackle everything inside your home, you need to be reasonable with your time and figure out what needs to happen the most. Decide what spring cleaning project you want to take on and if you find that you have more time later, then you can always take on more. 
  • Get some help. You do not have to do this all on your own. Get some friends or family to help you with some of the bigger projects. Not only will it take less time but you will also have more fun during the process. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore unless you make it one. Make it more of a get together by inviting people you trust over to help you and offer to do the same for them in return. 

Even after you have a clean and organized house, you still need a great home insurance policy to protect it. If you do not already have one, be sure to reach out to HighPointe Insurance Services LLC, serving Overland Park, KS, to get a quote for a home insurance policy that meets your needs and your budget. 

3 Things Home Insurance Does Not Cover

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When you have a home in Overland Park, KS, it’s important to have the protection in place. That’s why you buy a home insurance policy. However, you want to know what home insurance might not cover so you can get the coverage elsewhere.

Our insurance agents at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC can recommend policies that will provide you with the missing coverage and even explore insurance companies that offer add-ons. This way, you have protection for everything that might happen.

DIY Gone Wrong

Unfortunately, there are dangers with the DIY approach. Even though you may think you are saving money doing it yourself, you may not be pulling the necessary permits. Additionally, you don’t know what you are doing; you could end up causing more damage. A flood that occurs because you didn’t handle plumbing repair properly won’t be covered by home insurance.

Flood Coverage

All it takes is one storm, and your neighborhood may experience a significant amount of flooding. FEMA will determine if you are in a flood zone. If you are, flood insurance may be required, and this is above and beyond the home insurance that is required by your mortgage company.

Various Liability Issues

An array of liability issues may not be covered as well. All home insurance policies will cover at least the basics, such as damage your family would do to other people’s property as well as any injuries that may occur on your property. However, there are always “scenarios” that are within the fine print of what’s not covered – and knowing what these are is critical.

By knowing more about what is and isn’t included in home insurance, you can better protect your home in Overland Park, KS. For more information about policies and to get quotes, contact HighPointe Insurance Services LLC today.

 

What You Need to Know About Tornadoes and Homeowner’s Insurance

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The last thing that you need to discover after a terrible tornado is that you do not have the right stipulations in your homeowner’s insurance policy. Overland Park, KS is known for natural disasters, and you need to prepare for the inevitable. Here are three things that you should be aware of concerning property coverage before tragedy strikes. 

Property Coverage insures Certain, Not All, Perils

A peril is an event that causes severe damage to property. Such occurrences can be destruction caused by anything from wildfires to windstorms. In these instances, payment is made for damaged property and medical expenses for personal injuries incurred as a result of the disaster. There is also an option of personal liability coverage that pays for bodily injury and property damage that inferred on others by your negligence. 

Either one of these policies can provide financial stability when tragedy strikes. It is, however, important to make sure that natural disasters such as tornadoes are included in the plan as some insurance agencies exclude earthquakes and other calamities caused by the elements. 

Additional Expenses May Not Be Covered

You may have a policy that pays to rebuild the structure of your home but does not provide coverage for debris removal and damaged trees. Such incentives are essential after a tornado sweeps through town since rubbish is a given and some trees present hazards. Rebuilding efforts will be impossible without first removing chaff and making the area safe. Ask your local insurance agent if additional expenses are included with replacement coverage to ensure security.

Exclusions Apply

Many homeowners insurance plans in Overland Park, KS include property coverage with several exclusions. Injured animals and damaged motor vehicles, for instance, are not typically financially secured through a homeowners policy. Only an experienced agent who is familiar with the area can ensure that you have the right insurance for a tornado or other natural disaster. 

Preventing Water Damage in Your Home

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Water damage in your home in Overland Park, KS can be very costly and time-consuming. Whether it is a little bit of water damage or a lot, you still have to move quickly in order to get it fixed and prevent other things from happening as a result. While there is no way to prevent water damage from happening completely, you can take steps to prevent it from happening in some situations. Use these tips from HighPointe Insurance Services LLC.

  • Watch where you plant outside. While it may not be a problem now, it could be in the future as roots start to grow. When you are planting trees and other things, be sure to put them where they cannot come into contact with pipes and plumbing. The roots will not stop otherwise and you will have a water issue on your hands.
  • Never pour grease down the sink. You may have heard this before but you should never do it even if you use cold or hot water to wash it down. It could create a blockage later that can burst your pipes.
  • Watch your water bill. Unless there is a reason for a higher water bill such as using your sprinklers more in a drought, you should take not of any increases. This could mean there are leaks somewhere in your piping system that you should get checked out before they get any worse.

Using these tips can help you prevent water damage in some instances but you should still have a good home insurance policy to protect you in case something does happen. Your home insurance policy should include water damage. For more information or to get a free quote, be sure to contact HighPointe Insurance Services LLC in Overland Park, KS.

Settling Into a New Home the Right Way

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If you have recently purchased a new home, you need to make sure it is covered with the proper type of home insurance. You will also want to make sure you get settled in smoothly. Thankfully, there are several tips you can follow to help ensure you get settled in both quickly and effectively. Here’s a quick look at three of those tips. 

1) Unpack as soon as possible

If you move boxes into your new home and leave them sitting around without unpacking them, you are likely to just leave them sitting there. The longer they remain unpacked, the less likely you are to ever unpack them. Instead, you’ll just find a way to live in the home without unpacking the boxes. This is why it is so important to unpack them as soon as you put them in the new home. 

2) Don’t keep what you don’t need

Do you have a lot of boxes with stuff in them that you don’t need? If so, you should consider selling the items or giving them away. Don’t just throw them away because what you don’t want any longer is probably something somebody else would love to have. 

3) Have your family and friends help

Moving into a new home all by yourself can be challenging as well as time-consuming. Instead of tackling this task all by yourself, you can always ask friends and family members to help you. Having a few extra sets of hands can greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to get settled into your new home. 

To learn more about getting settled into your new home and protecting it with the right type of insurance coverage, contact Overland Park, KS HighPointe Insurance Services LLC today. 

5 Ways to Prepare Your Home this Fall

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As the air transitions from summer days to fall nights here in HighPointe Insurance Services LLC, it’s easy to think about corn mazes, caramel apples, and hay rides. But did you know that autumn is the opportunity to prevent damage in your home? Prepare for winter now to make the most of your home insurance coverage. We’ll show you five ways you can take care of your home in Overland Park, KS during the fall.

1. How’s the roof looking? Check the roof for any worn-out shingles and flashing. Replace them now before the snow settles on your roof since home insurance doesn’t cover normal wear and tear. If you’re afraid of heights, call a professional.

2. Unclog your home. Cleaning out your home’s gutters and furnace filters is like unclogging your arteries and prevents future problems. Have a professional examine your furnace since you’ll want it ship-shape for the winter.

3. Get your ‘winter coat’ on. Seal up any cracks and gaps in the house with caulk and weather stripping. It not only lowers your electric bill, it helps protect your home from moisture damage.

4. Pay attention to the hot stuff. If you have a wood-burning or gas fireplace, have a professional come inspect it and clean it out. Fire damage is covered by home insurance, but you’ll want to stay diligent with the residue. 

5. Go for a stroll. Inspect your steps, driveway and sidewalks to ensure the prevention of guest injuries. Home insurance does cover personal liability, but who needs the headache this year?

Want to learn about other things home insurance covers? We’re happy to answer your questions at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC in Overland Park, KS. We look forward to hearing from you!

Packing Tips in Overland Park, Kansas

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Not only is moving painstaking and tiring, the packing and unpacking part may be the worst of it. Items must be individually put into boxes and sometimes even wrapped so they are protected for the move itself. All of this can be very time-consuming and stressful. So here are a few tips to alleviate the packing process and allow you to get into your new place sooner and begin to enjoy it.

GET RID OF IT OR SELL IT

Look around your place and make that final decision on whether you really need this or that thing anymore. This move may be a great opportunity to purge some of those items you have been holding on to for a while for whatever reason. You can give them away or even sell them and use to profits to pay for the move, or buy yourself something brand new and nice.

INSURE YOUR ITEMS

Get a renters or home insurance policy to insure your items you are moving so you don’t have to worry about losing or breaking them during the move itself. Check in with HighPointe Insurance Services LLC who is known to serve the greater Overland Park, Kansas area with these types of insurance policies.

USE LUGGAGE AS BOXES

One way to efficiently pack items simple for the move is to use all of the bags you own to move items for you from point A to point B. This will save you money on boxes or time gathering free boxes and sort of move two things that you own at once.

GARBAGE BAGS

Even though it looks cheap and they aren’t as sturdy as a box, there are plenty of items you can transport with garbage bags. Utilize them as they are easy to acquire in bulk for very cheap!

What To Keep In Mind When The Power Goes Out

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If the power goes out at your home in Overland Park, you need to know what to do. A little bit of preparation can go a long way to keep your family safe, fed, and entertaining for as long as the power may be out.

Food Isn’t Going to Last

Your food inside of your refrigerator and freezer are going to last forever. It’s a good idea to keep a thermometer that doesn’t involve power so that you can keep an eye on temperatures. It is also helpful to fill bottles of water and keep them frozen inside the freezer. This can help to extend temperatures for longer.

You should also plan on stocking your pantry with items that don’t require refrigeration or cooking. Popular items to keep in stock include granola bars, jerky, and peanut butter. Be sure to focus on high nutrient items that your family will enjoy eating for as long as the power is out.

You Need Hot Water

You are going to need hot water for a lot of different things, including purified water, doing laundry, and sanitizing dishes. In order to get hot water, you can keep using a solar oven, a fuel-efficient outdoor rocket stove, or even a grill.

Kids Can Grow Stir Crazy

Kids are often going to be the first to go stir crazy. This is because they won’t have access to video game consoles, TVs, or anything else. Have board games, decks of cards, and puzzle available so that they can keep themselves entertained for long periods of time.

At HighPointe Insurance services we look forward to helping you with life’s events. Your homeowner’s insurance policy can provide plenty of coverage to help you out in Overland Park. Call today and learn how we can help.