From weekend barbecues to simple dinners during the week, grilling is a beloved summer staple for many.  However, firing up your grill — whether it’s gas or charcoal — can also bring the risk of injury and other hazards. Protect yourself, pets, children and anyone else around by brushing up on safe grilling practices. Whether you’re a seasoned griller or new to the practice, keep reading for some of the best tips on food safety, fire prevention, grill maintenance and more. Practice good food safety habits. Grilling outside during the hottest months of the year can put your food at risk of unsafe temperatures. Separate raw meat from cooked meat and other food at all times with different plates and utensils. Make sure food doesn’t sit out for more than one to two hours, depending on the temperature. You can always store perishable items in a cooler to keep food fresh until it’s time to eat. Prevent fires and injury. Only grill outdoors, away from building structures and tree branches. Avoid covered porches and balconies, as well as fire escapes. Keep young kids and pets away from the grill when it’s in use, and never leave a hot grill unattended. You should also avoid getting too close to open flames or hot surfaces. Maintain your grill and be careful with fuel. Check your propane tank for leaks before each use. A simple way to do this is by applying a soapy water solution to the hose and watching for bubbles. If you have a charcoal grill, be careful with lighter fluid — only use the kind approved for grilling and never use it on hot coals. After grilling, make sure the gas is turned off and there are no lit coals, depending on your grill type. Clean your grill and surrounding surfaces after each use to avoid contamination and grease buildup. Do you have questions about your homeowners insurance? Get in touch for assistance.

Owning a home can be costly, but that doesn’t mean that every expense is completely out of your control.  Regardless of where you live or the type of house you have, there are small changes any homeowner can make to reduce costs. Over time, these little differences can make a big impact. From interior improvements to homeowners insurance updates, here are some tips for cutting expenses around your house. Reducing Costs Across Your Home These whole-home changes can help you reduce your utility bills and other expenses. Replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs, which use about 75% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer. You’ll save on electricity, and you won’t need to buy new light bulbs as often. Seal doors and windows to improve energy efficiency and increase comfort. If you can see light beneath your door, that means air is going in and out as well. Adjust your water heater temperature to 120 degrees, as opposed to the 140-degree default. This will impact your utility bill every time you shower, run the dishwasher or do a load of laundry with warm water. Lowering Expenses Room by Room In addition to across-the-board changes, you can make small changes in specific rooms. Kitchen: Wait to run your dishwasher until it’s full, and skip the heated drying cycle. Use dish towels, cloth napkins and microfiber cloths instead of paper towels and napkins. A reusable mop will also save you money on buying disposable mop pads. Laundry Room: Wash clothes and linens in cold water unless something needs to be disinfected. Consider air drying your laundry instead of running the dryer for each load. Backyard: Native plants and perennials can make for attractive landscaping without the annual cost of buying new plants or using a lot of water. Also consider using solar-powered lights in your garden instead of electric ones. Saving on Home Insurance You may also be able to save on your homeowners insurance by bundling it with auto coverage or taking steps like installing a security system. If you have questions about your insurance policies, reach out so we can review your coverage and see if it needs any updates.

The longer you’ve been driving, the more automatic it feels due to muscle memory. Whatever your good or bad driving habits, you probably don’t even notice them.  That means that almost all drivers can benefit from a refresh every so often. Whether it’s letting distractions steal your attention or leaning too much on safety features, bad driving habits put you and others at risk. Use this guide to develop better habits and reduce the likelihood of tickets and collisions. Mistake #1: Relying Too Heavily on Technology Technology can be great, but it’s risky to rely solely on blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warnings and backup cameras. Use your senses to drive safely, and let technology be a backup. Mistake #2: Assuming Other Drivers Are Paying Attention Be alert to the signs of impaired or distracted drivers: wandering out of their lane, braking erratically, driving too slowly and other reckless behaviors that stem from inattentiveness. Mistake #3: Driving While Tired, Upset or Distracted Driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, in terms of the effect on your judgment and reaction time. That goes for driving when you’re very upset, too. External distractions, like texting, should also be avoided. Even fiddling with the radio or using GPS can take your eyes off the road at a crucial moment, so try to only make adjustments when the vehicle is stopped. Mistake #4: Reckless Driving When you’re running late or feeling stressed, it’s tempting to engage in reckless driving behaviors such as running traffic lights or stop signs, speeding, weaving in and out of lanes and more. Take a deep breath and remind yourself it’s not worth it. Mistake #5: Ignoring Warning Lights While this isn’t directly about driving, it is something drivers should remember. Warning lights exist for a reason. If you see the tire pressure light, check engine symbol, low fuel warning or any other alerts, don’t ignore them. You may save money if you address the issue right away. Reach out if you have questions about your auto insurance or need to make changes to your coverage.

Whether you’re doing it for fun or transportation, there are many benefits to riding a bike. It’s good for the environment and adds physical activity to your day.  Now that the weather is warmer, bike rides may become more popular for all ages. However, there are also hazards to look out for depending on where you ride your bike. Even with dedicated bike lanes, there are other cyclists to share the road with, as well as pedestrians and cars. To keep yourself and others safe, brush up on your bicycle safety knowledge — and the insurance coverage available to you. Bicycle Safety Tips Always wear a helmet. Make sure it fits snugly, and choose the appropriate type (recreational, road or mountain bike) to match the type of cycling you enjoy. Follow the rules. When riding in traffic, you should follow the same rules as cars: Obey stop signs, traffic signals and lane markings. Ride in the same direction as traffic instead of against it. Signal your turns. Use hand signals to let fellow road users know when (and where) you’re turning. Make yourself visible. Bright clothing, safety vests and front and rear bike lights will help others see you, especially at night or in low-light conditions. Be aware of your surroundings. Just as you would when driving, avoid distractions when riding your bike. Keep your eyes and ears open for other cyclists, cars and pedestrians. Insurance Coverage for Cyclists Check your homeowners or renters insurance policy to see if it offers protection. If your bike gets stolen from your home, it may be covered under personal property loss, and you may also have liability coverage for causing injury or property damage while riding. If you ride your bicycle a lot or have a high-end model, you may want to consider stand-alone bicycle insurance. These policies offer coverage for theft, accidental damage, medical bills and more. Finally, when riding rented bikes, ask the rental company if they provide insurance (and check your own insurance policy). Do you have questions about bicycle or other types of insurance? Get in touch for help.

Is your current vehicle nearing the end of its lifespan? Today’s cars tend to stay on the road longer, but no vehicle lasts forever. If you’re planning to buy a new or pre-owned car this year, this guide will help you know what to expect. From current market conditions to trends in pricing, features and more, here are the top car-buying trends for 2025. Market conditions offer reasons for optimism. Market conditions in the auto industry can fluctuate depending on factors such as supply chains, interest rates, and more. In 2025, buyers can feel cautiously optimistic about the vehicle market. Supply chain issues have been easing, and trade-in values remain strong. After recent Federal Reserve rate cuts, buyers may be able to obtain better interest rates on auto loans, reducing the cost of buying. Tariffs could complicate the supply chain yet again, but those ripple effects may take a while to see. Prices have been falling. The average cost of a new car was $48,641 as of January 2025 , down 2.2% from December 2024. Supply has been growing for the past few years and overstocked dealerships are offering more incentives. If you have a specific make and model in mind, it can pay to shop around for the best deal. Prices for used cars were also down as of January, with an average cost of $25,128, about 2% lower than last year. However, supply remains an issue in the used-car market due to production drops during the height of the pandemic. Safety is top of mind. Most new cars come with plenty of safety features, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that use safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping systems and adaptive cruise control. Buyers still love SUVs and EVs. The most popular types of vehicles this year are SUVs and electric vehicles. Average EV prices are down slightly, though they remain higher than standard vehicles. Buyers seeking more bang for their buck are driving demand for compact vehicles, including compact and subcompact SUVs. Do you have questions about how buying a new car may affect your insurance? Reach out for help.

Flooring can make or break an entire room. For example, older carpeting can make a living room look smaller or less inviting, while newer hardwood flooring can open up the same living room and make it feel welcoming. Whether you’re making major renovations to your home or just want to change up the floors in one or two rooms, this guide can help you choose the right flooring materials for your needs, budget, and stylistic preferences.  Tile Ceramic or porcelain tile is a classic floor choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways because it’s waterproof, durable, and easy to clean. There are also a variety of colors and styles to choose from. However, tile can feel cold, and it’s prone to cracks or chips from dropped objects. Generally, ceramic is more affordable than porcelain. Carpet Carpeting can be a comfortable flooring choice for bedrooms and living areas. It’s relatively inexpensive, and there is a range of colors and materials to choose from. However, the carpet also shows wear and tear, including hard-to-remove stains. Hardwood This is a timeless choice for living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways. Many older houses come with hardwood flooring, which can be refinished to look like new. Installing new hardwood floors can be expensive, but there are budget-friendly manufactured options. These floors do require regular cleaning and protection, as they can be easily scratched and scuffed from furniture, children, and pets. Vinyl Vinyl is a popular flooring option for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-traffic zones. With many styles to choose from, vinyl can mimic the look of wood or stone, plus it’s waterproof, long-lasting and inexpensive compared to other flooring options. Vinyl floors are easy to install, but they may not add much value to your home. Laminate Like vinyl, laminate flooring is affordable and made to resemble more expensive flooring options. However, it isn’t as durable, particularly in moisture-prone rooms like bathrooms or kitchens. If you’re curious about how renovations could impact your insurance coverage, reach out so we can discuss your situation.

Flooring can make or break an entire room. For example, older carpeting can make a living room look smaller or less inviting, while newer hardwood flooring can open up the same living room and make it feel welcoming. Whether you’re making major renovations to your home or just want to change up the floors in one or two rooms, this guide can help you choose the right flooring materials for your needs, budget, and stylistic preferences.  Tile Ceramic or porcelain tile is a classic floor choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways because it’s waterproof, durable, and easy to clean. There are also a variety of colors and styles to choose from. However, tile can feel cold, and it’s prone to cracks or chips from dropped objects. Generally, ceramic is more affordable than porcelain. Carpet Carpeting can be a comfortable flooring choice for bedrooms and living areas. It’s relatively inexpensive, and there is a range of colors and materials to choose from. However, the carpet also shows wear and tear, including hard-to-remove stains. Hardwood This is a timeless choice for living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways. Many older houses come with hardwood flooring, which can be refinished to look like new. Installing new hardwood floors can be expensive, but there are budget-friendly manufactured options. These floors do require regular cleaning and protection, as they can be easily scratched and scuffed from furniture, children, and pets. Vinyl Vinyl is a popular flooring option for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-traffic zones. With many styles to choose from, vinyl can mimic the look of wood or stone, plus it’s waterproof, long-lasting and inexpensive compared to other flooring options. Vinyl floors are easy to install, but they may not add much value to your home. Laminate Like vinyl, laminate flooring is affordable and made to resemble more expensive flooring options. However, it isn’t as durable, particularly in moisture-prone rooms like bathrooms or kitchens. If you’re curious about how renovations could impact your insurance coverage, reach out so we can discuss your situation.

In the past few years, credit card balances have trended upward nationally. While debt may be an unfortunate fact of life, there are steps you can take to improve your finances. Paying down debt takes time, but you’ll feel less stressed if you can maintain control over your budget and build your savings instead of making debt payments. Whether you’re struggling with credit card balances, medical debt or loans, these tips could help you create a solid foundation for your financial life and find an approach to managing debt that works for you. 1. Start budgeting. Making a budget is the first step towards getting — and staying — out of debt. Sticking to a budget will help you track the money coming in and going out of your accounts so you can avoid overspending. You can categorize your expenses and identify what to cut back on. You can also use your budget to determine how much debt you can pay off each month. 2. Choose a debt payoff method. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by debt. If you don’t know where to start, consider using one of these two popular payment approaches: The Snowball Method : Start with your lowest balance and throw everything you can at it while making the minimum payment on everything else. This approach helps you reach your first “win” faster, which can motivate you to keep going. The Avalanche Method : Start with the loan or credit card that has the highest interest rate. This method may take longer to clinch your first victory, but it will help you save on interest in the long run. 3. Get help from a professional. If you can’t or don’t want to do it alone, consult a professional for help. Credit Counseling : You may find this through a nonprofit organization with certified counselors. You can discuss your finances, then they can help you make a plan for paying off debt and gaining control of your money. Debt Consolidation Services : Also known as debt relief, these companies could help you consolidate multiple balances into a single payment. They may also negotiate with your creditors to pay off your debt for less than you owe, but be sure to use a reputable company. Financial Planners : If you’re looking for a long-term guide, financial planners can help you manage your budget, savings and debt to support your goals. Managing debt takes time, but it’s worth it. If you have questions about your homeowners, renters or auto insurance (financial or otherwise), reach out today.