Today marks the beginning of Flood Safety Awareness Week (March 14-18) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are strongly encouraging U.S. residents to prepare for springtime flooding dangers. In the wake of the devastating Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunamis that destroyed much of Japan, it becomes even more important that preparations, including acquiring flood insurance, are strongly considered.

Floods Are the Nations Most Common and Expensive Natural Disaster

FEMA and NOAA are working hard this week to get the word out that preparing for floods is crucial in increasing safety during this time of the year.

Full Post…

If you own a holiday apartment in Spain, France or Portugal that is on a complex, check your building insurance – it could be inadequate.

It is common practice that part of a holiday apartment owners community/maintenance fees goes towards the community buildings insurance. However, there is a common misconception from apartment owners that the community building insurance is sufficient to cover their apartment and that they only need additional contents insurance.

Inadequate holiday apartment insurance

The problem is that community building insurance in Spain typically only covers communal areas such as walkways, swimming pools and the basic rebuild of the building structure. U

Full Post…

Ten large home insurance companies are offering discounts to homeowners who install monitored security systems, says a new survey released by Electronic Security Association. The survey revealed these companies are offering premium discounts of up to 20 percent for homes equipped with burglar alarms.

Discounts Could Pay Portion of Installation Costs

As noted in a press release by Dom DAscoli, president of the Electronic Security Association, the 10 largest insurance companies reviewed offer significant enough homeowners insurance premium discounts to save policyholders up to 20 percent on their coverage.

This, he says, can be substantial enough to pay a portion of the monitoring costs or installation of the system.

The survey did not list the specific companies offering discounts, but according to the company, most people insured with large organizationsand some insured with smaller companieshave access to security system discounts.

Burglar Alarms Reduce the Need to File Insurance Claims

A study released by Dr.

Full Post…

At a public hearing in Tallahassee, State Farm officials defended a 28 percent rate increase for homeowner’s insurance.

TALLAHASSEE — State Farm Florida defended its proposal to hike homeowners’ insurance rates an average of 28 percent during a public hearing Tuesday as necessary because the company’s finances have dwindled amid recent hurricane-free years.

“Our financial condition has deteriorated over the last two years,” State Farm pricing manager Adam Swope told the Office of Insurance Regulation panel. “Over the last almost three years, we’ve lost over 500 million of surplus. This company ha Full Post…

Study Shows Burglar Alarms Can Cut Crime by 60 Percent

DALLAS, Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The nation’s insurance companies are encouraging homeowners to install monitored security systems by offering them substantial discounts on homeowner’s insurance.

“A survey of the 10 largest insurance companies offering homeowners coverage found premium discounts up to 20 percent if a home is equipped with a monitored alarm system,” said Dom D’Ascoli, president of the Electronic Security Association. “The discounts can be substantial enough to pay a portion of the monitoring costs or installation of the system,” said D’Ascoli.    

“The majority of insurance companies offer discounts for alarm systems,” said Michael Barry, spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute. “H Full Post…

Here are 10 top tips to help you lower your home insurance premium. Keep your house protected without paying outrageous home insurance premiums.

With the everyday cost of living going up and a continually bleak economic situation, everyone is trying to save money at the moment. One of the biggest monthly costs the average person faces is utility bills and for homeowners this includes home insurance.

If you own a property then you will need to cover it with home insurance or property insurance and this can cost a lot. However, there are many ways in which you can quickly and easily lower your home insurance premium.

Full Post…