Eight Top Tips for Selling a Home

Encourage the use of makeup, hats, or wigs in lieu of masks, which can obstruct vision. Cross the street as a group by using established crosswalks; don’t cross between parked cars. Once you arrive back home, examine the treats and throw away anything that appears to be spoiled, tampered with, unwrapped, or otherwise suspicious. Restrain any pets that may jump on or bite a trick-or treater. We wish you and all your ghosts and goblins a safe and happy Halloween. If you have any questions about Halloween safety or just want someone to review your current insurance coverage, feel free to Call, Click, or Come by TODAY. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

As the fall season arrives, it’s important to be aware of increased deer activity on our roads. With deer becoming more active, especially during dawn and dusk, I wanted to share some tips to help keep you safe while driving. Look for deer eyes. You know the phrase “deer in headlights”? At night, watch for the reflection of deer eyes in your headlights. This can give you an early warning that deer are nearby. Be extra cautious at dawn and dusk. Deer are most active during these times of day. Pay extra attention and use your high beams when appropriate to increase visibility. Do not swerve. If a deer suddenly appears in front of you, it’s safer to brake and hit the deer than to swerve and risk losing control of your vehicle. Swerving can lead to more serious accidents. Where there’s one, there are usually more. Deer often travel in groups. If you see one deer, slow down and be on the lookout for others that may be following. If you do have an incident with a deer and need guidance on filing a claim, please don't hesitate to Call, Click or Come by. We’re here to help you navigate the process and ensure you receive the support you need. Stay safe on the roads, and feel free to contact Rising Star Insurance Group with any questions or concerns. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

You can take lots of steps to protect yourself from identity theft. Here are just a few. Don’t give out your personally identifiable information to anyone, unless you can confirm that they are who they say they are. Use dual-factor authentication on your mobile devices, especially if you bank or conduct other business using a phone or tablet. Use complex passwords (letters, numbers, special characters, etc.) to make it harder for a hacker to get into your accounts. Don’t click on links or open attachments from emails that look suspicious or like they may not come from the sender they appear to be from. If you should have any questions about protecting your identity or questions about insurance, we are always here for our clients as well as our community. All you have to do is Call, Click, or Come by TODAY. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

Having a home inventory list can help you figure out how much homeowners’ or renters’ coverage you need. After a loss, it can help your insurance company process your claim more efficiently, and it can help you return to your regular life. What types of items should I include on my list? Electronics : computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, cameras, and televisions Clothing and accessories Housewares and other home appliances : kitchen appliances, sporting goods, other hobby-related equipment Other valuables : jewelry, artwork, collectibles, etc. Records of important documents : birth certificates, passports, social security cards, bank account numbers, etc. If you’d like an electronic solution, plenty of home inventory apps are available for iPhone and Android devices. Finally, if you aren’t sure which of your belongings are covered by your policy, Call, Click, or Come by TODAY and one of our “Trusted Risk Advisors” will be happy to answer any of your questions. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

As you may or may not know, Drones may be purchased at every imaginable size, weight, and price point. They—and the data they may collect—have become ubiquitous in news media and on social media platforms. But even hobbyist owners can be held liable if their drone causes property damage or bodily injury. If you own a drone, contact our office to make sure your current insurance coverage is sufficient. Your existing homeowners’ or renters’ policy may apply to drone-related damage; it may even cover theft or damage of your drone. You’ll want to ask what policy covers if your drone damages your car, and make sure you have coverage for injuries or property damage incurred by others. If your drone is capable of data collection, talk to one of our “Trusted Risk Advisors” whether you need specialized coverage for potential violations of the privacy of those around you. Finally, make sure you follow all relevant state and federal laws before you take your new toy out for a spin. We hope you and/or your family have fun with your new Drone, but if you should have any questions, feel free to Call, Click or Come by TODAY. We’re always here to help our customers as well as those in our community. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

Event organizers routinely adapt long-planned events to unforeseen circumstances; during the COVID-19 pandemic, though, everyone had to figure it out as they went. Those experiences brought public attention to an oft-overlooked insurance product: the special event policy. There are two main types of special event coverage: liability and cancellation. Liability coverage could cover medical care for an ill or injured guest damage done to the venue during the event Cancellation coverage could cover costs associated with an event cancellation due to extreme weather deposits paid to vendors who disappear after signing contracts If special event insurance sounds perfect for your upcoming event, please feel free to Call, Click or Come by TODAY to find a policy that’s right for you.  Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

Being prepared for an emergency means having kits ready to go! Your kits should include: Food and water First aid kit Flashlight Battery-powered radio Extra batteries Cell phone with chargers Make at least two preparedness kits: One to keep at home and one for each car. If you’re looking for a quality food and/or Emergency Preparedness Kits, we suggest www.mypatriotsupply.com Whether you have questions about Emergency Preparedness or any of your insurance needs, feel free to Call, Click or Come by TODAY. We’re always here to help. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

Selling a home can seem daunting, but these handy tips can help you sell yours faster and more efficiently: 1. Spend time on cost-effective tasks like repainting. 2. Empty closets of half their contents to make storage space appear larger. 3. Depersonalize your home by packing up family photos and knickknacks. 4. Clean windows, wash curtains, clean lampshades, and increase bulb wattage to maximize light. 5. Repair/replace faulty handles, hinges, and closet tracks. 6. Spend money on needed repairs. Replace the aging water heater instead of the kitchen counter. 7. Skip expensive renovations: inexpensive improvements, like repainting cabinets and replacing knobs in the kitchen, can go a long way. 8. Always be ready to show your home. Whether you’re selling or buying a new home, it’s always a good idea to contact your local Independent Insurance Agent. Feel free to Call, Click or Come by TODAY. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

Dwelling insurance reimburses you for losses caused by covered events. Depending on the claim type, your insurer will calculate the cost of replacing or repairing your property by looking at its actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV). Claim payments related to the physical structure of your home are typically based on RCV. Personal property claim payments may use either ACV or RCV, depending on the policy. What is Actual Cash Value (ACV) Coverage? Actual cash value coverage yields claim payments based on the property’s current estimated value, so your payment will be reduced to account for depreciation and normal wear and tear. It typically applies to the personal property part of your dwelling policy. What is Replacement Cost Value (RCV) Coverage? Unlike ACV coverage, replacement cost value does not account for depreciation or wear and tear. Instead, it reimburses you based on how much it would cost to replace, repair, or rebuild your property at current prices. What is the difference between ACV and RCV coverage? While ACV typically applies to personal property, RCV can be applied to both dwelling and personal property. The big difference is that ACV considers the depreciation of lost or damaged items, while RCV does not. How does ACV work? Say your personal property policy uses ACV to settle claims, and your television, which you purchased for $1,000, is ruined by a power surge. If your insurer concludes its value has depreciated by half since your purchase, you will receive $500, minus any deductible. How does replacement cost value work? Say your dwelling policy uses RCV to settle claims, and your house is destroyed by fire. Your policy has a $500,000 coverage limit, but your total rebuilding cost is estimated at $510,000. You will be responsible for the amount that exceeds your coverage, as well as any deductible.  We hope this article helps demystify ACV versus RCV. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to Call, Click or Come by. We’re always here to help. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/actual-cash-value-vs-replacement-cost