The Allstate Blog » Home Insurance

Winter Home Safety: The Tree [INFOGRAPHIC]

Brendan — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 17:58:59 +0000

Home safety during the holiday season can be a priority with friends and family coming together for various celebrations. Preparation can help you avoid the most common in-home dangers, even when cooped-up in the house during the winter months. Prevent the holiday tree-related causes below and your holiday season can be event-free. [infographic]

Winter Home Safety: The Deep Fryer [INFOGRAPHIC]

Brendan — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 17:44:18 +0000

Home safety during the winter months can be particularly top-of-mind with all of the friends and family coming together for various celebrations. Preparation and prevention can help you avoid the most common in-home dangers. Try to prevent the kitchen- and fryer-related causes below and you can have an event-free winter. [infographic]

Winter Home Safety: The Range [INFOGRAPHIC]

Brendan — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 15:00:36 +0000

Home safety is important year-round, but during the winter months when you spend more time indoors, it can be particularly top-of-mind. Preparation and prevention is the key to avoid the most common in-home dangers. Carefully consider the causes below and hopefully you'll have an event-free winter. [infographic]

Homeowners Insurance Mega-Quiz

Sean — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 20:01:43 +0000

[slickquiz id=4]

Golden Opportunity? Get Your Jewelry Reappraised

Jen — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:00:56 +0000

When my grandmother passed away last year, I inherited part of her jewelry collection. While some pieces are treasured family heirlooms, others reflect my grandmother’s taste for the eccentric, flashy and – I’m sorry to say –slightly tawdry. (Sorry, Grandma, but we have different styles!) Assured by family members that it was OK to sell these pieces (we've all seen those billboards and late-night TV commercials advertising gold resale), I needed a jewelry appraisal to determine their value. My appraiser told me that recent skyrocketing gold prices may have substantially increased the values of my jewelry. Which is why many insurance carriers recommend an appraisal every three to five years; routinely getting appraisals helps ensure that your policy is providing adequate personal property coverage.

Get a Fair Jewelry Appraisal

So, where can you find an appraiser? Unfortunately, just working in the jewelry industry doesn't make someone a fair or accurate appraiser. Be wary of jewelers without accreditation or those who work out of temporary mobile offices. Instead, choose an appraiser licensed by your state’s licensing board. The appraiser should also be an accredited member of a nationally recognized appraisal organization, such as The American Society of Appraisers, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Gemological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A). Ask to see credentials, and confirm that they are still valid. Any reputable appraiser will charge a flat fee for his or her service. Never agree to a percentage fee based on the jewelry’s value. Not only is a percentage fee unethical, but it may result in an inflated assessment for your pieces. Once you receive your appraisal, you should review your homeowners or renters insurance policy. A typical policy includes personal property protection that covers the loss of your belongings if they’re stolen or damaged. But many categories of coverage - like jewelry - have set a maximum dollar limit your insurance carrier will pay if an item is lost or stolen. If you have valuable jewelry, such as an engagement ring or other recently appraised gold pieces, it makes sense to review your coverage limits and make sure they're enough. I ultimately discovered that my grandmother’s gold jewelry was of some value, and I decided to keep her pieces rather than sell them. Gold prices may still have room to rise. And who knows? Maybe my style will change over time, too!

Buying a Foreclosure: 5 Dos to Start Off on the Right Foot

Mary Boone, Zillow — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:00:25 +0000

At first glance, foreclosed properties appear to be the kind of bargains you simply can’t pass up. For some, it’s true: Buying a foreclosure can be a terrific investment opportunity. But beware; there often are a number of challenges along the way. These five "dos" should get you on the right track as you begin your buying quest: 1. Do your homework. Read everything you can get your hands on, attend seminars and seek the advice of foreclosure investors. Learning the lingo and understanding the basics of the process will better prepare you for the journey. Additionally, you need to research neighborhoods before you buy a home. What are the schools like? What about crime rates? What have other properties in your desired neighborhood sold for? 2. Do keep an open mind. The current real estate market is certainly chock-full of competitively priced foreclosures. But the same can be said of traditional listings. Traditional sellers may be more flexible about taking care of repairs or negotiating price, and you likely won’t have to assume the previous owner’s overdue debts or liens. Plus, by narrowing your search to foreclosure homes only, you may not end up in your dream neighborhood or your favorite style of house. Being open to many options will ensure you end up with the best house for your money. 3. Do find an experienced agent and attorney. The foreclosure market is complex. Whether you’re looking at a pre-foreclosure, short sale or bank-owned property, you’re going to need the guidance of a professional who has experience buying and selling these types of properties. That doesn’t mean someone who has read about the process. You want to work with someone who has gone through it and knows what can go wrong. Besides, a real estate agent who specializes in foreclosures likely will have long-term relationships with area lenders, so they’ll hear about properties that haven’t yet been officially listed. Foreclosure laws and regulations are tricky, and they vary from state to state. A real estate agent can help you locate properties and make offers, but – unless he is also a practicing attorney – you cannot rely on him for legal advice. Be prepared to consult with a local real estate attorney who understands how these purchases work. 4. Do get prequalified. It doesn’t make sense to fall in love with a home that’s twice what you can afford. If you’re serious about buying, go talk to your lender before you even begin your search so you know how much you can afford to borrow to buy a home and exactly which price point you should be targeting. Even better: Get preapproved. That way, you can move quickly when you decide you’re ready to buy. 5. Do think beyond today It’s best to approach any real estate transaction with a long-term perspective. If your plan is to flip the property and quickly resell it, you need to ask yourself: What happens if it doesn’t sell for six months or a year or longer? Do the math: How long can you afford to carry this property before all your profit goes down the drain? If you plan to live in the house, do some math and determine what it will cost you to remodel and repair the property. Often, lenders are willing to loan money for the property but not the repairs. Can you afford to make this property your dream home? Can you handle the work yourself, or do you need to hire someone to do the repairs? Do you have a realistic idea about these costs? Do the math or you may suffer long-term financial repercussions.

Mary Boone is a writer for Zillow, a home and real estate marketplace dedicated to helping homeowners, buyers, sellers, renters, real estate agents, mortgage professionals, landlords and property managers find and share vital information about homes, real estate and mortgages.

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Your Robot Home Is (Nearly) Ready

Brendan — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:00:22 +0000

Hello, Science? I was led to believe that this far past 2001, I would have my own personal space odyssey featuring a homicidal red-eyed computer, a hoverboard and fem-bots. Don't get me wrong -- I love my flying-saucer-shaped vacuum cleaner, my video phone and especially my talking car. But this just isn't future-y enough for me. What'd make me happy? How about a robot house? Oh, you say I have one already? In an article in Science Magazine, super-genius professor Diane J. Cook runs down the many ways in which mini-computers have wormed their way into unexpected corners of our homes, "making our environments more intelligent and responsive to our needs." The coffee maker with a timer, the thermostat that only turns on when the temperature dips below 63 degrees, the dryer that shuts off when your clothes are dry rather than running a full 70-minute cycle -- those are all tiny microprocessor versions of Rosey, the robot on the Jetsons. According to Cook, the automations available in homes are getting steadily more sophisticated. As more and more items within the home are designed to gather data, artificial intelligence is brought into play, using that information to predict what we'll want next — whether it's a third cup of coffee, a reading light, or even a doctor's appointment.

Robo-Energy

Keeping homes energy-efficient is the most obvious (and perhaps least potentially creepy) use of this Rosie-the-Ranch-House technology. Imagine never having to nag the kids to turn off the light — the house does that by itself! No need to worry about whether you turned off the stove — you can check on that from the road. Utility companies like PG&E have started using "smart meters" to help people identify spikes in use of electricity, water, or natural gas, making it easier for them to curb their use (and therefore their bills). Several studies have explored the use of these potential android A-frames as giant health-monitoring devices. Many of us already use health-monitoring apps such as FitBits to keep track of our blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and exercise. Professor Cook says we can use the data collected at home to alert family members (or ourselves) to behavior changes that could possibly signal dementia or autism. Of course, that makes you wonder: what other behaviors would such a system monitor? Yikes!

The Social Home

The most far-out use of a Bionic bungalow — yet one that is probably nearer than we think — is in the murky area of social interaction and marketing. It's unclear exactly how this would work, but Cook suggests that our behavior at home could be used to suggest or influence our shopping decisions. It may sound like a bit much, but then, most of us happily log on to Facebook, which does something similar. As with any new technology, there'll be those who think it's awesome and those who warm up to it much more slowly. (Remember those outliers who refused to carry cell phones?). Then again, the recent passing of the great science fiction writer Ray Bradbury brings to mind two short stories: "There Will Come Soft Rains," in which an automated house gamely continues to care for inhabitants long destroyed by a mysterious war, and "The Veldt," in which a Holodeck-style nursery gets hacked by evil, spoiled brats. I'm not too worried about that, though. Hand those evil kids an iPhone with Angry Birds going and they'll be disarmed for good. Then I can get back to swimming laps in my bathtub pool. Thanks, future!

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National Preparedness Month: Be Prepared [SLIDESHOW]

Melissa — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 17:00:22 +0000

Don’t wait for a natural disaster or other catastrophe before you think about what your family would do in an emergency. September is National Preparedness Month, and it gives you the perfect opportunity to get ready for whatever Mother Nature may have in store. Whether it's a hurricane, a tornado, an earthquake, a wildfire or some other catastrophe, there are specific steps you can take to make sure you’re ready. [slideshow]

The Glitzy Lives of TV and Movie Characters. Could They Afford It?

Brendan — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 11:00:32 +0000

Flying cars. Talking dogs. Dogs talking in flying cars. There's nothing like good, old-fashioned Hollywood magic to thwart our conceptions of reality, and no element deludes us more than the portrayal of upper-crust lifestyles lived by ostensibly middle-class characters. In TV and movie land, writers wear $1,500 high heels and CIA agents drive $100,000 cars through the streets of Milan, but what kind of cash do these sorts of professionals pull down in the real world? Choosing a career path is serious business, especially for those of us thinking ahead toward retirement. Let's examine how our favorite TV and film characters' paychecks really read, entertainment value aside.

Don Draper, "Mad Men"

No one is smoother than Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce's brooding creative director. Always impeccably dressed and known to enjoy all the finest elements of 1960s life, from cars to clothes to abodes (whether in Westchester or Manhattan), it seems like Don Draper's making the big bucks. But how would his modern-day, off-screen counterparts fair? According to GlassDoor.com, not too shabbily. The site estimates New York-area creative directors make an average of $80,000-$250,000 per year. Assuming someone of Draper's caliber is at the upper end of that spectrum, members of this field would be well-heeled, if not entirely carefree.

James Bond, 007 franchise

With another 007 installment just around the corner, we can't help but wonder: Do all intelligent agents and spies live a life that's so...Bond-like? Well, we're not sure about the Agency's budget for cool gadgets, cars and impeccably tailored tuxedos, but we do know the site CIAagentsalary.com reports experienced agents' salaries as being in the less-than-glamorous $78,000 range. So, a real-life agent probably wouldn’t cruise the streets in an Aston Martin – but as for being pursued by gorgeous women, friend and foe, who knows?

Carrie Bradshaw, "Sex and the City"

What freelance columnist makes enough to live in a beautiful Manhattan brownstone, eat dinner out whenever and wherever she wants and buy bank account-shriveling couture on a whim? Carrie Bradshaw of "Sex and the City," that's who. While her character lured many an aspiring writer toward a keyboard, Carrie's imitators probably didn't encounter the level of success she "achieved." Indeed.com reports the average writer's salary is $59,000. PayingNew York City rent, that's not even enough to order Chinese food more than one night a week, let alone live like a socialite.

Jerry Seinfeld, "Seinfeld"

In real life, comedian Jerry Seinfeld is as rich as they come, but how about on TV? Seinfeld's old sitcom character's presumed earnings were probably true to form for a successful New Yorkcomic. With frequent “Tonight Show” appearances and consistent gigs as a featured touring act (such performances can garner up to $1,000 or more per appearance), Seinfeld certainly made enough to maintain a rented Upper West Side one-bedroom and drive a Saab. That said, most other pro comics don't do nearly as well: SimplyHired.com reports an average salary of just $30,000. In other words, your everyday funnyman probably isn't quite as unflappably jovial as Jerry was.

Rachel Green, "Friends"

Lessee of one of the most notoriously gorgeous TV apartments of all time, chances are "Friends" sweetheart Rachel Green wouldn't have made enough in three months to cover one month's rent – especially after cutting up her credit cards. Over the course of the series, Green worked her way up from a waitress at the Central Perk coffee shop to a buyer for Ralph Lauren. Unfortunately, her upward climb still didn't yield massive financial security — GlassDoor.com estimates a Ralph Lauren assistant buyer's yearly salary to be between $48k-$60k. So, if you’re a real-life Carrie Bradshaw, don’t feel bad about living without the Christian Louboutins. Sometimes our favorite TV and movie characters are a little overpaid. Whether you’re Don Draper living the high life or Rachel Green living without Daddy’s credit cards, you could always use a helping hand managing your finances.

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Photos courtesy of eworld-musiclove.blogspot.com, www.Adamecker.com, www.highsnobiety.com, www.apartmenttherapy.com

5 Best Home Renovations for Under $5,000

Brendan — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:00:01 +0000

Regardless if you own or rent, your home is at the center of your universe. It's where you eat, sleep, socialize and store all the things that matter most. So why does it look like such a mess? I'm guessing two reasons: time and money, or the lack thereof. In other words, your busy life keeps you from taking the time to be organized and implementing the latest interior design trends, and the plethora of other demands on your wallet prevent you from hiring someone to do the job for you. Fret not, because we've compiled a list of five efficient ways to spruce up your home without breaking the bank.

1. Paint it out

It's easy to take the small things for granted. Applying a fresh coat of paint is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to take an old room from drab to fab... provided that your new coat's color is indeed fab. If you're not blessed with an eye for color coordination, snap some pictures of the rooms you want to repaint, take them to a local home improvement store and ask for some help. There's no shame in admitting you don't want your dining room to have the color palette of a Warhol painting and need assistance to avoid that fate.

2. Get some light

Dimness is great for romantic dinners... but not so much for cooking, doing laundry, taking showers and all the other things you do at home most days. Practical matters aside, low light also makes everything look kind of dingy. So brighten up your life! It'll change everything, and with a $5,000 budget, a half-day's worth of time and a trip to an affordable retailer, you'll be able to outfit your entire home, no sweat. Important: Remember to treat lights like furniture. They should be functional and fashionable. The monstrosities you had in your college dorm won't work anymore.

3. Caulk and tile

Bathroom renovation can seem awfully unappealing, especially if you only have one. The prospect of navigating around a demolition zone every time you want to brush your teeth or take a shower isn't something anyone wants to think about, but with a little planning, your worst washroom fears can be easily avoided. Start by re-caulking around sinks, showers, toilets and tubs to get rid of unsightly grime. Then pick out some affordable new tiles for the floor, and you'll be in business. Sure, new sinks and toilets are great — and probably within range for a $5,000 budget (provided you didn't go with marble flooring) — but caulk and tile is probably all you'll need to make an impact. Unless you've got plenty of experience, though, hire a professional to do the job. It may be relatively cheap, but it sure ain't easy.

4. Clean up your act

Simple and free. The perfect combo. Yes, all you'll need to do to clean up your house is...clean up your house. Set aside a weekend and collect all the useless items cluttering up your abode. (You probably don't need any electronic device made before 2000, and that cargo-pocket phase you went through? Mistake.) Throw out the junk, sell anything that might yield more than $5 at a yard sale or on Craigslist, and revel in the newfound order you've created.

5. Knobs, pulls, and counters

Kitchen renovations and panic attacks usually go hand in hand, but it doesn't have to be that way. The most expensive part of doing your kitchen over is replacing astronomically priced appliances — a superfluous expense as long as they're clean and functional. New cabinet knobs, drawer pulls and countertops can all be installed on a very reasonable budget, and will rejuvenate even the stalest of kitchens, panic-free.

What DIY projects will you implement this fall?

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