​As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and nowhere is this more true than in basic home maintenance. Spending a little bit of time and effort caring for your home today may save you days of costly repairs tomorrow. Here are some simple, cheap ways to protect your home against potential damages:

​Is it time for you to update your home’s siding? The siding is more than just designed to provide aesthetics to your home. It also is an important way to protect the structure itself. That is why it is always important to maintain it. When damage occurs, have it repaired as soon as possible. You also want to consider how updating your siding, especially with wind-resistant products, might help lower your home insurance costs. Here is more insight.

​A shed is a secondary storage facility on your property. It may be something you use quite a bit or just a few times a year. However, if this is a structure on your property with valuables within, consider insuring it. Your home insurance policy can cover it. However, you need to let your insurer know about the shed along with the value of the contents within it. Here is what to take into consideration.

​Someone comes to your home to enjoy a meal and some good friendship. You share a few drinks. That person leaves gets behind the wheel of the car and causes damage to another person’s property as a result of the alcohol. Intoxication like this can be deadly. In some cases, you, as the person providing those drinks, may be at some level responsible for the losses. Here is what you need to know before you hold your next party with alcohol. Take a closer look.

​The garage on many homes is the area you put things that you do not have any other use for at the moment. It is where you store things like gas for the lawnmower and extra paint from a project. Yet, it is also one of the highest risk areas in your home for fires. These fires can be devastating. Yet, most homeowners have no idea what steps to take to minimize these types of risks. What steps can you take?

​Buying a home is a big risk. Even if you love the home, you never know what happened there. A home inspection can give you some insight into the condition of the home on a more thorough level. From a home insurance point-of-view, that’s important. It can help you, and your insurance agent, know the home is safe. A home inspection is always a good investment. How can it pinpoint insurance-related problems?

​When you have a home with special features and adaptions, it becomes essential to consider how this impacts your home’s value. It can also impact your home insurance needs. For those who have a loved one living with a disability or unique needs, it is important to consider the value of added features to your home. Your basic home insurance policy should provide ample protection. However, it will only do so if it offers enough overall protection. Here are a few things to consider.

​When a fire, storm, or act of vandalism damages your home, you want to get it fixed as soon as possible. Home insurance may provide you with the financial means to pay for these types of repairs. However, you shouldn’t rush into choosing a contractor for the job. Doing so could cause you financial loss in the long term. Instead, follow these tips for choosing a contractor to help you with the process.

​A small leak is all it takes. Within a short amount of time, the insulation in a roof can develop mold. The interior of the roof may have structural deficiencies as a result. When a situation like this occurs, it becomes essential to find a solution. Home insurance may not cover this type of damage. It applies only in some situations. When could home insurance help you?​

​A smart home is one that provides information and communicates with you no matter where you are. These are growing in popularity today. A wide range of versions are available. Each one seems to do something unique. If you are thinking about the investment in a smart home system of any type, it helps to know what the benefits are. In some cases, they can reduce theft risks and, as a result, lower home insurance costs.