As a busy homeowner, it is easy to fall into the trap of pushing off tasks that maintain the long-term value of your home in favor of more pressing problems. That’s OK, to a point, as certain house-cleaning projects should be in the “long-term maintenance” category. But putting them on hold for too long can have disastrous results. As with so many things in life, preventive maintenance can save a lot of future effort and cost in your home, too.
We’ve put together the following checklist of cleaning projects that can save you headaches – and money – down the line.

1. Keep up with general cleaning: Giving the entire house a light cleaning every couple of weeks goes a long way toward preventing unwanted build-up. Dust and grime accumulate gradually and can permanently impact the sheen of hardwood and the sparkle of bathroom fixtures. Clutter and smaller messes also often disguise spills, leaks, and stains. Over time, these can set and become more difficult to remove.
2. Replace air filters: If your heating or air-conditioning system relies on vents or an intake with an air filter, make sure you know the proper replacement schedule. Extending an air filter past its useful life not only lowers your air quality, it also can force your air conditioner or furnace to work harder, leading to more frequent breakdowns.
3. Clean the dishwasher: The appliance we rely on so heavily to clean up after us needs to be cleaned itself every now and then! Its ability to operate effectively decreases between cleanings, and the longer you wait, the more likely it is to malfunction. A number of moving parts in dishwashers can easily get stuck when they are covered in food or soap residue, which can result in a less-than-appetizing smell that might even transfer to your dishes. For optimal results, periodically remove the filter system from the floor of your dishwasher and clean it off. Then run the dishwasher with white vinegar to remove build-up, stains, and odors.
4. Make sure drains are clear: A visit from the plumber is guaranteed to be expensive, so we recommend doing everything you can to limit build-up in your drains and toilets. Avoid putting coffee grounds or grease down your sink drains, purchase a drain cover to catch hair in the shower and use a slightly less-luxurious toilet paper to avoid clogs. At the first sign of a clog, use baking soda, dish soap, or store-bought drain cleaner on trouble spots.
5. Have your carpets cleaned: Heavily-trafficked areas should be professionally cleaned at least once or twice per year, depending on where you live and how conscientious you are about removing your shoes at the door. This will revitalize your carpets, and can prolong their lifespan, too. And whenever a spill occurs, react quickly! Just one noticeable stain can ruin a beautiful carpet. If you’re stumped, search online for a solution – there are an endless number of step-by-step guides to address every conceivable spill.
6. Check for leaks: Water damage can be one of the most significant (and expensive) repairs a homeowner can face – and it’s tough to spot before it’s too late. Proactively checking areas around bathtubs and sinks will help along with keeping an eye on walls and ceilings for discolorations as well. If a ceiling becomes discolored, investigate what could be causing the stain before giving it a fresh coat of paint.

Think back to when you purchased your home. You probably visited an open house where the fixtures sparkled, the floors gleamed, and the paint looked fresh. Following the checklist above can help you get that new-home feel again, while maintaining your home’s value as well.
Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
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5 Questions to Ask to Keep Your Haunting Brood Safe on Halloween
 
Despite the fact that Halloween in Phoenix involves walking around at night amongst ghouls and witches, it really only takes a little common sense to make the night safe for everyone.
 
Here are five questions to ask so your entire family, even pets, can enjoy a safe and fun evening of trick-or-treating or handing out candy to others:
 
1. Are we visible?
Add reflective tape to costumes, clothing and candy bags to make it easier for drivers to see you and your group. That also goes for pets who are tagging along. Put reflective tape or flashing lights on their leashes or collars. Carrying flashlights and glow sticks is a good idea as well — they make you more visible and help you see better, too.
 
2. How safe are our costumes?
Costumes, including masks and shoes, should fit well to prevent blocked vision, trips and falls. Baggy clothing can also increase the risk of contact with candles. If you purchase costumes, make sure they are marked as flame-resistant. And accessories such as swords and knives should be soft and flexible.
 
3. Where are we going?
It’s best to have a plan before taking your kids trick-or-treating. You should only go to known neighborhoods and houses that have outside lights on, and children should never enter someone’s home unless an adult is with them. If you have older children going out on their own, have them tell you their plan.
 
4. What are the kids eating?
It’s always a good idea to examine the items your kids have collected before they dig in. And it’s not just about tampering, either. Be aware of choking hazards, too, particularly for young children. And remember, when it comes to eating treats, moderation is key.
 
5. How are Fido and Fluffy doing?
Even if your dogs and cats are just hanging out at home while you hand out candy, don’t forget about them. They shouldn’t eat candy at all, but especially chocolate, which can be toxic. Make sure candles are placed in areas where they won’t be knocked down. And remember that, depending on your pet’s personality, having people constantly coming to your door can be stressful. You might want to create a comfortable spot for them away from your home’s entrance.
 
With the right plan, you can make Halloween fun — and safe — for your little ghosts and goblins. And you can probably snag a little leftover candy for yourself, too.

Personal Umbrella Policies (PUP), are sometimes called an "Umbrella" policy because it provides additional liability coverage that extends above and beyond your Automobile Insurance or Homeowners insurance and may cover more situations with higher limits. It offers protection usually starting at $1 million for you and you family against expensive and potentially devastating liability claims and/or judgments.  Personal Umbrella Policies can also supplement other insurance policies like watercraft, motorcycles and RV's.

Five reasons we recommend PUPs to our clients:

1. Protect your assets.-All your assets are protected in case of an unforeseen accident. This includes your car, house, investments, retirement accounts, checking and savings accounts, and even future income.
2. Protects you.- You are protected for incidents that you might not even consider, such as if you are liable for injuries while traveling abroad, or for any rentals, such as a boat, Jet Ski, or car provided by your employer.
3. Provides peace of mind.- The policy will provide the peace of mind that you, your loved ones, and your assets are protected against large lawsuits.
4. Pays legal fees.- The costs of legal defense can be staggering and must be paid even if you win.  A personal umbrella policy pays these fees in addition to your umbrella limit of insurance.
5. Protects your charity work.-If you are an active member in your community or with a local nonprofit charitable, religious, or civic organization, most companies automatically cover you if anything happens while you are volunteering for the organization.

How Umbrella Insurance WorksAn Umbrella Policy works by extending your Automobile Insurance or Homeowner’s Policy liability insurance coverages. Automobile Insurance has limits usually starting around 25/50/15 up to 500/500/500, and Homeowner’s Policy liability coverage typically can be purchased with limits of $100,000 to $500,000, depending on your insurer carrier and the types of coverage. If your families net worth is greater than the liability coverage ( savings and checking accounts, cars, home equity, & FUTURE EARNINGS) are at risk if an accident results in a large judgment against you.
That’s where Personal Umbrella Policies (PUPs) can protect you. Umbrella Policies start at $1 million in coverage and are available with limits as high as $10 million, depending on your insurance carrier.  Premiums generally start at around $600 - $700 year!
Example: You are the driver in an at fault automobile accident which results in major injuries to another person, you may be responsible for substantial medical bills, an award for pain and suffering. With the protection of a an Umbrella Policy, you will first be covered by your automobile insurance policy (minimum liability coverage is typically 250/500 to qualify for the Umbrella Policy), and once that liability coverage is exhausted  your Umbrella Policy will begin providing coverage up to the policy limit (Usually $1 million-$10 million depending on the policy).

If have further questions regarding Umbrella Policies, Automobile Policies or Homeowner Policies please contact our office at 800-556-3499.

This is the very first agency update we've published in the News portion of our website.
 
This is the area of the website where we're going to be writing brief updates about important news, updates, and other changes within our agency.
 
Some of the things we may share here in the news section are:

• Hiring New Agency Staff
• Winning Customer Service Awards
• Local Charity Events We Attend
• Business Partnerships We Join
• And much more!

 Stay tuned!

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