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| Quick quiz |
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Each month I'll give you a new question.
Just reply to this email for the answer.
In which film was Betty Boop's debut appearance in August 1930?
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I Didn't File a Claim but My Home Insurance
Went Up. Why? |
A number of factors contribute to determining your insurance premium. It is possible for your home insurance to go up even if you didn’t file a claim. Here are some reasons.
Home changes. If you have upgraded or renovated your home, it is worth more, so in the event of a disaster, more insurance is needed to cover it. Other additions, such as a pool, can increase risk, which will increase your premium.
Area changes. If there are changes in your area when it comes to natural disasters, claims and the cost of living, this can impact your coverage costs. An increase in the rate of thefts, vandalism, natural disasters and claims related to these means there will be an increase in your premium.
Safety changes. Your insurance is affected by changes in safety. If risk is lowered or safety is increased (say, for example, by
the addition of a fire station in your area), your insurance rates are lowered. If risk is raised, your insurance rate is raised. You can lower your risk and your rate by making your home safer with burglar alarms and other safety measures.
Not making changes. Your home ages, and if you don’t keep it updated, this can mean a hike in your premium. Homes that are not updated become more and more dangerous to insure, which translates to them costing more to insure. Ignoring necessary upgrades raises your risk and raises your premiums.
We are always here to help you understand what goes into determining your home insurance rate. Call or email us today with your questions, and let’s take a look at how you may be able to lower your premium. |
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| Is Shopping Online for Insurance Really a Bargain? |
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Buying auto or homeowners insurance on the internet seems easy and cheap. But is it?
Discover how relying on the web to protect your most valuable assets could cost you more - and put you and your loved ones at risk - by requesting my free guide, "The Dangers of Shopping Online for Insurance."
Just reply to this email and I'll send it right out to you.
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World's Largest Open-Air Gallery
Has a Special Mission |
A Spanish artist has turned one region's dull cement silos into stunning works of art, helped by a team of local artists with learning disabilities. The breathtaking work means the province of Ciudad Real in central Spain now boasts the largest open-air gallery in the world.
The mastermind behind the project is Okuda San Miguel, a painter who has dedicated his artistic career to bringing color into everyday spaces across the globe. His previous works have regularly involved turning drab buildings and bare walls into places of beauty with colorful murals featuring geometric patterns, nature, people and famous iconography. The colossal scale of this latest work meant it was always destined to be something unique, but as the work began to escalate, the special mission Miguel added to the project brought the entire piece to a new level.
In partnership
with a local organization working to create jobs for local people with special needs, Miguel assembled a team of artists with learning disabilities to help create the magnificent artworks. His aim was to provide them with a chance to communicate through the medium of painting and visual art, contributing to what he describes as a "universal church" existing for everyone regardless of race, religion or gender.
The impressive undertaking has grown into a gallery of 10 different cement silos in collaboration with artists of many nationalities, and the next goal of the project is to transform the silos' empty interiors to match the beauty of the colorful new exteriors. |
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| Garlic Shrimp Zucchini Boats |
| Serves 4 |
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Ingredients
• 4 large zucchinis, halved lengthwise
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella |
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Scoop out insides of zucchini to use later. Place zucchini in large baking dish. Drizzle with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes.
Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes until cooked through. Remove from heat and chop into bite-size pieces when cool enough to handle. Return to skillet. Stir in reserved zucchini, garlic and tomatoes. Cook until fragrant. Add Parmesan, cream and lemon juice. Cook for 4 minutes.
Fill boats with shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Cook until cheese bubbles, then for 10 minutes more. |
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| Is Identity Theft Covered by Your Insurance? |
Victims of identity theft can deal with the disaster left in the wake of an identity thief for years. Avoid the possibility of this devastating experience by educating yourself about this crime, and make sure you have the right coverage in place to protect yourself in case it does happen to you.
Let’s look at some ways identity thieves can get their hands on your secure information. They can obtain information online via email scams and hacking, for example, or scammers posing as legitimate professionals can obtain information via phone calls. They can also steal physical documents (from your wallet, credit card bills or bank statements) or physical hardware (such as laptops, tablets, phones and thumb drives).
To ensure you are protecting yourself from these methods, secure all your documents, and never give out your personal information to
sources that are not verified. Prevent online breaches with appropriate security software.
Unfortunately, you may still fall prey to a determined identity thief even with the proper precautions in place. It is vital to have the proper coverage in place should disaster strike. Some limited protection for loss of credit cards or cash is often included in homeowners or renters insurance policies. Some liability relief is provided by many credit card companies. But if your identity is stolen, this is not sufficient coverage.
Financial loss, credit issues and reputational consequences can result from identity theft, and there are insurance products that cover these costs. It is worth it to look into these policies. They vary and cover everything from minor assistance to major restorative services. Reimbursement of attorney’s fees, assistance with hearings and charges related to fraud, a consumer fraud specialist or case manager, replacement of
government-issued identifications and assistance with credit restoration can be provided by your coverage.
These restoration services can be life-changing should you fall victim to identity theft. Contact us to discuss your current policies and review what specific coverage is best for you so we can help you plan for the unexpected. |
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If you find this newsletter helpful or interesting, share it with those you care about.
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How to Feel Like You're on Vacation
in Your Everyday Life |
With many of us unable to get away on our normal vacations this year, it's easy to feel like we're missing out on some much-needed soul soothing. But why stop yourself from creating that vacation feeling in your everyday life?
Block out days for yourself in advance to specifically have a slow morning, spend time outside, go on an adventure, see friends and not worry about that shelf you were meaning to put up or that room you were going to paint. While it's a concept alien to many, actively banning yourself from being "productive" for a day here or there can work wonders for your mental health if planned and done at the right time.
Afford yourself the freedom to care a little less about your appearance and appreciate the liberation of loose clothing. One of the joys of a vacation is that we stop worrying about how smart we look for a few weeks,
swapping out proper shoes for flip-flops, busting out the sun dress and not bothering with makeup routines.
Get to the water! Whether it's reading by the river, riding a pedal boat on a lake in the park, swimming in the sea or just setting up a paddling pool in your backyard, everything seems slightly more calming when you're near water. See if you can make a conscious effort to fit a water-based activity into some of your days off this year.
Eat some exciting food you wouldn't normally try! A huge part of our time away revolves around the exciting food we eat. Obviously, part of that comes from someone else cooking it, but trying something different that looks and tastes beautiful can be hugely rewarding. |
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| This newsletter and any information contained herein are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial or medical advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible at any time for any errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use. Seek competent professional advice and/or legal counsel with respect to any matter discussed or published in this newsletter. |
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