Category Archives: Home Insurance

Ways to Prevent Pipes from Freezing

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If you own a home in Newark, NJ, you know how severe the winter weather can be on plumbing pipes. Frozen pipes can burst and cause flood damage to your home, which is costly to repair.  Addressing a few items before the harsh winter sets in can decrease or eliminate the risk of frozen pipes.  Here are some preventative measures you can help protect your plumbing.

Plumbing Location

Some pipes are more likely to freeze than others due to their location. There are three areas where they are more at risk to freezing. Any exposed plumbing in unheated areas of your home, plumbing in the exterior walls, and any plumbing located outside you home.

Preventative Measures

For interior exposed pipes, such as in the basement, attic, or crawl space, inexpensive foam pipe insulation is often enough for moderately cold weather.  For severe cold temperatures, it’s better to use thermostatically controlled heat tape that automatically turns on when it drops to a certain low temperature. Pipes located in an under-insulated exterior wall, it’s best to have insulation shot into the wall or to open the wall and add insulation.  There is no quick or easy fix for these areas, and it may pay to have the plumbing rerouted. Outside plumbing, you can install frost-proof spigots or a faucet insulator and close the interior shut-off valve that leads to the faucet. Don’t forget to unhook and store the garden hose because if it freezes, it can actually cause an interior pipe to burst.

E.S.T.I.R. Inc.

E.S.T.I.R. Inc. provides homeowner’s insurance to those in the Newark, NJ area, so we know how damaging the climate can be to homes. We want to help you protect your home investment. Contact an agent today to discuss your home coverage.

Does Location Affect Your Home Insurance?

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Location location location seems to be the mantra of real estate shoppers. The reasons vary from ideal commute to work, views, crime rates, school systems, proximity to nature and many more. But many people do not consider the insurance ramifications when choosing the location of their real estate purchases. The fact is that the location of a home has a direct impact on the insurance that the home needs, and even the insurance rates for the home.  E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serves Newark, NJ and the surrounding areas and can help you consider your insurance options for any location.

It is all about risk. If the home is located in an area that has an increased risk for any reason then the need for insurance increases,as does the likelihood of that insurance being used rise proportionately. But what defines an area with increased risk and rates? The answer can vary. FEMA.gov lists official areas that are rated according to the risk of natural disaster, that is a great place to start when identifying insurance needs and potential danger. But when it comes to other factors that are not natural disasters the risk/rate can vary even by neighborhood or city block. Careful consideration when purchasing a home and insurance for that home is vital to keep your family covered no matter what.

Contact us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. to discuss the insurance needs of a home you may be considering and to make sure you are fully covered for any disaster in your unique Newark, NJ neighborhood.  It is important to consider all of the variables when purchasing a home and insurance for it.

 

 

Keep your family and home protected in 2017

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Whether you have purchased your first home that you intend on starting your family in or your next home after the kids have left for college, it is always important that you protect your nest and your family with the right home insurance. You Newark NJ area home is the heart of a bustling metropolitan area and should be protected against weather mishaps like hurricanes as well as the unforeseen incidents. When you have the right home insurance backing you, it allows you to live your best life, with peace of mind in your own home. 

Our agents at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. understand how important your home is to you and that protecting it is at the top of your priority list. We also know that purchasing home insurance for the first time or choosing a new insurance can be a tricky process filled with many questions. Our agents encourage you to come to our offices prepared to ask, inquire, and voice any of your concerns that you may have. We will happily walk you through the process of choosing the right policy to protect your home and your family. Here at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. , your needs are our priority.

Do not hesitate! Call our office today to talk to one of our knowledgeable agents about how we can help you protect your home, your family, and your peace of mind. Stop by our office and we will be happy to help you sort through your options, answer your questions, and address your concerns. Don’t wait to protect your home and family from the unpredictable. Contact us today!

Problems That May Void Your Home Insurance In Florida

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Home insurance covers a wide range of damage to your home, but many homeowners are unaware that they may be doing things that could cause their insurance to be voided, especially in Florida. That’s why E.S.T.I.R. Inc. (who serves a wide range of areas, including as far south as Florida all the way up to Newark, New Jersey) is here to inform you of a few ways you might accidentally void your home insurance.

Inaccurate Information On Your Application

Whether you purposefully or accidentally put inaccurate information on your application (such as failing to mention certain problems plaguing your home), doesn’t matter: it can still void your home insurance. Read over your application several times to check for inaccuracies before signing.

Multiple Claims

Home insurance agents often get suspicious if you make multiple claims over a period of a few years. In Florida, this may come in the form of claims for damage from hurricane or even underground termites. This might lead the insurance agent to suspect negligence and void your claim or policy in response.

No Receipts On Claimed Items

Your policy will cover the items in your home, but if you don’t have receipts for them, you can’t prove their worth. As a result, most Florida insurance agents will simply void your claim, causing you to suffer severe losses as a result. Keep your receipts in a safe to protect them from damage.

Suspected Deliberate Damage

If your insurance agent expects that you may have caused deliberate damage to your home, they will not only void your claim, but likely your policy. Even worse, they may turn you into legal authorities for fraud. It’s important to prove that the damage caused was not deliberate, such as by including eye-witness testimony, in your claim.

If you are worried that you may have performed any of these problems on accident, please contact us at E.S.T.I.R. Inc. We can help people like you from Florida all the way to Newark, New Jersey get the home insurance coverage that they deserve. We’ll make sure you don’t make any of these unfortunate mistakes.

Prepping Your Home for Colder Weather

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Winter is a gorgeous time of year in Newark, NJ, and there are a lot of things that come along with that. For many, winter is a time to venture into the city and enjoy all of the colder climate activities. However, there are also some things you should do to prep your home for the colder weather. Before fall slips away, use these tips from E.S.T.I.R. Inc. to prep your home.

  • Clean out your gutters. In the fall, the leaves will start to fall and some of them will end up in your gutters. While the changing fall colors are beautiful, they are not so wonderful when they are clogging up your gutters. Before the first snow falls, you should make sure these are cleaned out.
  • Get your heater examined. You likely haven’t thought about using your heater since last winter. Before you try to use it, you should get it looked at by a professional. Getting regular maintenance on your heater is important and fall is a great time to get it done. Plus, it is always good to catch a problem before you need to use the heater. Additionally, this time of year is a great time to also change your filters in the home to ensure your heater is able to work optimally.
  • Get home insurance. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is not having home insurance in place for their home. It is definitely something that can help in a variety of ways and we recommend it for every homeowner. You should protect your investment with home insurance all year long and if you do not have it now, it is time to explore some of your options.

If you are interested in learning more about home insurance and getting some quotes, be sure to contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serving Newark, NJ. We can even help you by examining your current policy for any gaps.

Preparing Your Trees for the Upcoming Winter and Preventing Hazardous Tree Accidents

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During the winter months, trees can cause you to have to file a homeowner’s insurance claim. However, there is something you can do to minimize the likelihood that this will happen. Preparing your trees for winter can help decrease tree-related problems this winter. Here are two ways you can do this.

Remove Dead Trees

If your tree is dead, remove it in the fall, before the winter months come. A dead tree has a bad root system and can easily topple over when the wind blows. This can cause significant damage. Removing the tree is the best way to prevent this. If you are unsure if a tree is dead, a landscaper or arborist can help make that determination.

Trim Away Overgrown Branches

The second way you can prevent hazardous tree accidents is to trim away overgrown branches. Overgrown branches can fall off when the wind blows or if large amounts of snow or ice accumulate on the branches, weighing them down. Trimming them away in the fall months helps prevent this problem.

Failing to prepare your yard for winter can lead to dead or overgrown tree branches falling on your home or your car. In turn, this may cause you to have to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. If this has got you thinking about homeowners insurance, you may be wondering if you have enough coverage or you may be looking to change your policy. Contact E.S.T.I.R. Inc. serving the Newark, NJ area, for all of your homeowner’s insurance needs. Let us review your policy, determine what coverages you need and even provide you with quotes for a new policy today.

 

Why You Should Review Your Home Insurance Annually

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It’s easy to purchase home insurance and forget it. After getting the coverage, it’s done, right? Wrong. The insurance industry is a dynamic industry. Changes can take place at any given moment. As a result of that, you should seriously consider analyzing your home insurance policy at least once a year.

Industry Changes Can Trigger Policy Changes

The insurance industry is one of the largest industries in the United States. As such, they can effect laws governing insurance regulations within Newark, NJ. Since laws affecting your policy can become effective during your policy, the sooner you are aware of the change, the better off you will be. For instance, if you don’t get an annual review, it’s possible for you to remain uninformed about changes concerning what is covered in your policy. Or worst, after experiencing a loss, you find out it’s not covered by your policy.

Reviews Can Uncover Savings or Additional Features

One of the main reasons you should consider getting an annual review of your home insurance policy is to save money. The insurance industry is highly competitive. Increased competition drives prices down. By getting an annual review, you may find that you are eligible to receive a discount. Additionally, you may find that your insurance company is rewarding your loyalty by giving you extra features for the same rate.

Cover Your Home Thoroughly

As a homeowner, you make improvements on your home throughout the year. You may add more room onto your garage or an additional bedroom. Without informing your insurance company, they wouldn’t know you improved your home. Your annual review is a great time to ensure that all the upgrades you made to your home are covered by your home insurance.

At E.S.T.I.R. Inc. we encourage our customers to schedule an annual review. Our licensed insurance agents are more than happy to review your policy to ensure you have the home insurance you need in the event of a loss. Give us a call today to schedule your annual review.