The Myths of Home Insurance (and the Truth)

It’s difficult to define the myths of home insurance, mainly because home insurance simply isn’t talked about all that often. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of incorrect assumptions about it, and unfortunately, those assumptions are revealed after a disaster rather than before. Linda Dugan Insurance wants the people of Astoria, OR to know more about things work before it’s too late. 

You Don’t Need to Inventory Your Possessions

When you lose items for any reason covered under your home insurance policy, you’ll need to recall exactly what you had in the house in the first place. Making a full list of your possessions and keeping that list in a safe place makes it easier to get the reimbursement you need. 

You Don’t Need a Security System 

Thieves are everywhere, and they can do a lot of harm. Even if you think that your possessions simply aren’t worth taking, criminals can do expensive damage to the structure that will be difficult to repair without help. Your home insurance provider knows that a security system can do a lot for keeping them at bay, and will let their thanks be shown by keeping your rates reasonable. It’s an excellent long-term investment for everyone. 

You Can Call Your Home Insurance for Anything 

While you can call your home insurance, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the financial help you need. Home insurance doesn’t cover everything, so you may want to call someone who can walk you through what it does cover. Linda Dugan Insurance can go over the things that are most likely to happen to your home and maybe some less common scenarios that you may not have considered. Call to find out more about how our policies work if you live in Astoria, OR. 

5 Home Security Steps to protect Your Home

Having home insurance coverage provides peace of mind after an incident that may have occurred due to criminal activity. While we can’t predict every kind of situation in the Astoria, OR. area, there are ways to wisely secure a home. Here at Linda Dugan Insurance we believe in informing our customers. Below are five tips for you to more securely protect your home against crime. Visit us or call 503-440-3909, and we can discuss your concerns more thoroughly.

Landscaping

Keep foliage trimmed back away from the house, especially around doors and windows. Opportunists look for privacy while picking a lock or breaking a window.

Lighting

Have motion sensor lighting installed to deter criminals who like to work in the dark. If the neighbor’s cat keeps turning on your outside lights, they can be reset to avoid that.

Doors and Windows

Make it a firm habit to lock doors as you come inside. Check locks before you leave the house, and before bedtime. Making this a habit reduces the chances of you accidentally leaving a window open for a week.

Security Systems

Consider a security system that connects directly to rescue and safety personnel who can respond the moment there’s an incident. These systems help during home accidents, as well.

Neighborhood Connections

Hard to define but wonderful to experience is the connection to your neighbors that makes you feel safe and watched over. Be a good neighbor and build relations within your neighborhood that deter crime and strengthen communities.

At Linda Dugan Insurance we have independent agents ready to discuss your home insurance coverage. We can find discounts you may qualify for, and provide tips on home security. Serving the Astoria, OR area, we are available at 503-440-3909.

Switching Home Insurnace Companies

There comes a time in the course of every homeowner’s life that they consider switching their home insurance coverage. There are some tips that can help you determine if it is time for a switch or just time to change your policy. If you are thinking of a switch and you live in the Astoria, OR area, the agents with Linda Dugan Insurance can help you change your policy to fit your specific needs.

So what might prompt a homeowner to change their insurance policy or their insurance company? The first thing is often going to be the cost of premiums each year. High premiums are almost always the deciding factor when it comes to changing companies. The real issue is figuring out if the change in premiums is worth the change in coverage.

In many cases, companies will offer lower premiums to newer customers. This means that changing your company might save you some money here and there. This, however, might not be the best thing to do as these lower costs nearly always fall off after you have been with the company for a long period. You also have to consider that being with a company for a longer period increases loyalty and also helps to increase the likelihood that you have a dedicated agent or that the insurance agency knows about your policy.

You also need to consider the fact that switching often to save a few dollars here and there on your policy might hurt your chances of a smooth transaction if you do have a claim. For all your questions if you live in the Astoria, OR area, the agents with Linda Dugan Insurance can better explain and help you make a switch if you so choose.  

Updating Your Home Insurance: Better Coverage, Better Lives

Having more coverage when it comes to home insurance can sometimes just feel like you’re just having more money taken out of your wallet. Days go by and everything remains status quo, and you start thinking that there’s no reason to plan for the worst because it will never actually happen to you. But this mentality has left too many people in Astoria, OR feeling foolish. Linda Dugan Insurance wants you to have more information about how updating can be your true savior when it comes to emergencies. 

Understanding the Role of Home Insurance 

Your policy is in place to protect you against practically every even that may occur on your property. From a stray dog destroying your expensive shrubs and garden, to your own dog ruining an antique dresser. However, every policy is different, and may not reflect the same needs you have when you first moved into the house.The more you find out about what’s actually in the clauses of your policy, the better you’ll feel about the amount of threats out there. Your home isn’t just something that you bought without research, so it’s important that your home insurance be given the same careful consideration. 

Call Someone Who Knows 

To update your policy, you’ll want to talk to someone who understands the nuances of each event. There may be provisions that can help you more than you think. Home insurance keeps you ready both emotionally and financially, and Linda Dugan Insurance has proudly contributed to that peace of mind for the people of Astoria, OR. If you’re interested in updating your coverage, then now is the time to chat with us. The agents here are ready to answer your questions and get you a policy that protects everything that’s worth protecting, so call today! 

Tips for Packing to Make Moving a Breeze

It would be difficult to find someone that actually enjoys the packing, moving, and unpacking process but with a bit of extra planning, you can make everything a bit easier on yourself. It may take some extra time in the beginning but it will definitely save you some time when you are moving and unpacking for your new home in Astoria, OR. Use these tips from Linda Dugan Insurance during your packing process:

  • Color code your boxes. When you are packing, you should use different colors for each room and put these colors on the boxes. Then, when you are moving, you can make sure the boxes that go in specific rooms are placed in there. When you go to unpack them, all of the boxes in that room will be there for you.
  • Keep a detailed inventory. You should also number the boxes and keep a detailed inventory list of everything that is in those boxes. When you are looking for a specific item, you can go to your list and quickly find the box it is in. 
  • Pack a box for the first night. You will be very tired after moving but you will still likely want to get clean and sleep in your bed. Make sure you pack everything you need for your first night in one box so you can get a good night of sleep.

Another step of moving that you need to complete is finding a great home insurance policy for your new home. Whether you have one in place or not, it is worth your time to contact Linda Dugan Insurance serving Astoria, OR. They can take a look at some different policy options as well as help you find something that fits within your budget. Contact them today to learn more. 

Water Safety Tips for Every Time of Year

Astoria, OR, Linda Dugan Insurance wants you to make the most of life on the water. Throughout the year there are chances to have fun unique to the area, but it’s always important to keep safety in mind. Fun should never come at the cost of health, so keep a few simple tips on the brain when you plan for some watery adventure.

Weather

Oregon is a nice place to stay cool without freezing, but minding the weather is important for safe fun in the water. No matter what time of year it is, if you venture into the waters, keep an eye on storms and rainfall. While a heavy system can create stronger currents and raise water tables, dry spells can be equally dangerous when they expose shelves, rocks and other obstructions. It sounds obvious, but always double check weather reports before venturing into open water.

Gear

While many will shy from a dip in the colder months, there are always adventurous souls out there. Make sure you use a proper wet suit and anything else you need to stay warm. Even in the peak of summer hypothermia can be a threat if you swim long enough, so always prioritize warmth. Even if you’re just looking to wade or do a little fishing, make sure your feet are protected from rocks or submerged debris.

Watercraft

One of the great benefits of living on the coast is the availability of water sports. If you dry dock your vehicles, be sure they are stored properly, and give them a thorough inspection before taking them back to the water. If you leave them docked, regular visits and inspections, especially during winter, will help identify any signs of wear or damage before they become a safety issue. When in use, make sure any craft are properly equipped with life jackets and general safety equipment.

Contact a friendly agent at Astoria, OR based Linda Dugan Insurance today!

 

Misconceptions About Home Insurance

Not all home insurance policies are the same, and many homeowners suffer from a variety of misconceptions about their coverage. We at Linda Dugan Insurance have had to help our Astoria, Oregon residents understand the truth behind many of these misconceptions.

Home Insurance Will Not Cover Health Emergencies

Many home insurance policies have what is known as "medical payment" coverage. This type of coverage is not designed to pay for your medical emergency needs, but if someone else on your property gets injured. This policy will help protect you from lawsuits by providing a provision for payment, not for covering your personal medical expenses.

Not All Polices Have Loss-Of-Use Coverage

Many home insurance policies will help pay for expenses earned while staying in a hotel while yours is being repaired. However, this kind of coverage is not inherent in all home insurance policies. It often requires an extra cost and coverage may be limited. For example, your policy may indicate how much you can pay while staying in a hotel.

Earthquake Damage Is Not Covered By A Standard Policy

In areas that are highly affected by earthquakes, it is important to make sure that your policy covers this kind of damage. Don’t assume that it does: a majority of standard home insurance policies won’t cover earthquake insurance. This can leave you with a hefty bill after the next big one, which could hit Astoria, Oregon at any time.

Agents Will Definitely Notice Pad Claiming

People who suffer from home damage often try to get a little bit of extra money by padding their claim. Big mistake: agents are very suspicious of high claims and will investigate them quickly. If you have no receipts for your claimed items, there’s a chance your home insurance claim could be voided.

If you suffer from any of this conceptions or simply need help figuring out your home insurance policy, we can help. At Linda Dugan Insurance, we offer homeowners like you quality assistance in finding high-quality home insurancce.

Three common misconceptions about home insurance

Home insurance policies are inevitably complicated and include a lot of fine print. The complexity of this type of insurance gives rise to a lot of misconceptions that consumers need to be aware of to get the best possible policy to meet their needs.

The following are five of the most common home insurance misconceptions out there:

  1. A home insurance policy will cover all possessions within the insured home- Home insurance insures not only your home itself but also some of the possessions inside it. However, it may only offer coverage on possessions up to a certain amount. Also, some home insurance policy specify that they don’t cover certain items like collectibles and jewelry. 
  2. Medical expenses incurred by the homeowner will be covered by home insurance- Most home insurance policies include a medical payment portion that will reimburse individuals for medical expenses caused by injury in the home. However, typical home insurance policies only offer this in the case that guests to the home are injured. The medical portion will not necessarily offer coverage for medical expenses from injuries to the residents of the home themselves. 
  3. Maintenance performed on my home won’t affect home insurance coverage- If you neglect maintenance tasks on your home, you may face problems when filing a claim for compensation for expenses caused by neglected maintenance. Some insurance companies will not honor a claim if home damage was clearly caused by a failure of the homeowner to keep the home well maintained.

Interested in learning more about home insurance? Contact Linda Dugan Insurance if you have questions or if you’d like a quote on a policy for your property. 

Tips For Organizing Your Closet

You probably have a lot more room in your closet than you realize. You can fit a lot more clothes and other items in there if you have it organized well and if you made use of the space that you have. Unfortunately, most of us do not use the space that we have wisely. This can make our closet look like a mess. There are some easy ways that you can fix this, though. Through some simple organization, your closet can be used for a lot more and look a lot better. Use our tips to get started and contact us at Linda Dugan Insurance for all of your insurance needs. 

  • Use tiered hangers. If you are using one hanger for each item of clothing that you are putting in your closet, then you are wasting a lot of space. You can make more room by using a tiered hanger that will allow you to put multiple items of clothing on one hanger. This will free up space for more hangers and will make your closet look a lot more organized.
  • Use an over the door shoe rack. If you have a lot of shoes, then it is likely that your shoes are all over your closet floor. This makes the closet look cluttered and is not a great use of the space you have. By using an over the door shoe rack, you can put your shoes on the door and get them off the floor. This will give you more space in the closet and on the floor for other items. 
  • Consider using shelves. If you do not have shelves and you have room for them, you may want to install them for extra storage space int he closet. You will be amazed at the difference it makes. 

3 Different Uses For Cleaning Supplies in Astoria

Cleaning supplies may not be your all-time favorite things to use around the house, but there’s a lot of value to them. There may be more to it than just what you read on the label though, so read on for 3 multi-tasking suggestions. 

Turning Window Washer Into a Stain Fighter 

Window washer may actually do a little more for your upholstery than you think. If you’ve run out of stain cleaners after you’ve spilled some red wine or chocolate on a couch or dining room chair, try this as an impromptu fix. 

Liquid Soap Moonlights as a Floor De-greaser, Weed Killer and Ice Pack 

Yes, you read that right. Wash down your concrete garage floors with liquid dish soap, or pour a tablespoon down a crack to get rid of some of your weeds alongside a cup of salt and a gallon of vinegar. Or you can use it as a cheap ice pack to place on sprained ankles or bug bites for a longer melt time than regular water. 

Oven Cleaners Are Great For White, Porcelain Tubs 

Unfortunately, if you don’t have this particular type of tub, this solution won’t work. However, this is perfect to get stains off if you do meet the requirements. Oven cleaner is strong stuff though, so ensure it just stays in the tub if you want your towels and shower curtains to stay intact. 

When you own a home, you have to make the investments of both your time and energy to keep it habitable. Linda Dugan Insurance serves the people of Astoria and helps find effective policies for all. If you’re shopping around for new insurance, then be sure to keep us in mind. Call us for a quote or if you have any questions!