Know your insurance coverage before deciding on an extended warranty

You’ve been eying that expensive flat-screen TV for months, and it finally went on a sale for an unbelievable price. As you rolled up to the cashier with a television the size of a bed sheet, you may have been faced with a question you weren’t prepared for: do you want to buy the extended warranty? Read on…

Keep the flu at bay by getting vaccinated

If you haven’t received this season’s flu shot yet, you’re missing out on a cheap and quick way to head off potential misery, lost time from work and bills from your doctor.

But it’s not too late. Influenza outbreaks can occur as early as October, but most activity peaks in January and later, so there’s still time to protect yourself. Read on…

Butterball of fire: Play it safe when deep frying a turkey

The hot trend of deep frying turkeys has spread like wildfire in the last few years — literally.

Deep fryer fires on average kill five people, injure 60 and cause more than $15 million in property damage every year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. State Farm warns that more cooking fires flare up on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. According to its claims data from 2005 to 2009, grease and cooking-related claims more than double on Thanksgiving compared to an average day in November. Read on…

Check your liability insurance before you host a holiday party

With the weather growing colder and the days getting shorter, the holiday party planning season is upon us. But before you get knee-deep in details about how to keep your guests’ happy at the party, plan how you’ll keep them safe once they leave. Read on…

7 little-known facts everyone should learn before buying car insurance

When it comes to purchasing car insurance, it’s important to get the best deal you can. There’s also a great deal of fine print involved, so you need to understand just what you’re getting with your policy. Here are 8 little-known facts that could save you money: Read on…

10 home repairs you shouldn’t ignore

If you’re like most people, your home is the largest purchase – and most significant investment – you’ll ever make. So you’ll want to maintain it, and a large part of proper upkeep means staying on the lookout for potential problems. In fact, if you allow your home’s condition to deteriorate, your home insurance company may refuse to pay for the damages. Don’t wait until a minor annoyance becomes a big problem. Here are 10 home repairs you shouldn’t ignore: Read on…

8 new cars you can buy (and own) without going broke

Owning a car isn’t cheap - especially if you consider long-term maintenance, gas, taxes, fees and car insurance. Plus, there’s the fact that you may have financed your car and you’re paying interest on it. Finally, you have depreciation costs to consider. Add it all up, and it’s clear the expense associated with car ownership is no small matter. Read on…

Why driving a fancy car may be more likely to get you a ticket

You’ve probably heard that red cars receive more tickets compared to cars of other colors. However, it appears that the type of car you drive is more of a factor. Turns out drivers of fancy cars are more likely to engage in behavior that can earn them a ticket. Of course, risky driving behavior will drive up car insurance rates. Car insurance companies consider the type of car you drive when setting insurance premiums. If other people who own your car model are getting tickets (and causing car accidents), your insurance company will likely consider you a risk too.

Read on…

Does your home insurance policy cover that?

If your home has just suffered a major catastrophe, the only thing worse than the damage is finding out that your homeowners policy doesn’t cover it. You may be surprised at some of the perils excluded from a standard policy. But coverage varies by insurer and the state where you live, so pay attention when choosing your insurance policy. Read on…

8 ways to make sure you pay more for auto insurance

Everyone wants to pay low car insurance rates. However, good rates aren’t available just for the asking. Insurance companies deal in risk. If an insurance company thinks that there’s a good chance that you will get in an accident, you will have to pay higher premiums. How risky are you? If any of the following 8 things apply to you, your insurer will consider you a risk. The more risky you are, the more you will pay in premiums. Read on…