Emerge Insurance Agency

Home remodeling projects were once done to increase a home’s resale value, but many homeowners are deciding to stay put for the long-term instead of planning a time-consuming move. HomeAdvisor’s 2018 True Cost Survey found more than 80 percent of homeowners plan to stay in their existing home, and half of the survey’s respondents are considering a remodel to make their homes more aesthetically appealing and comfortable. Now that 2018 is in our rear-view mirror, we’ve taken a look back at some of the “what’s hot,” “top 10” and “hot trends” lists for home remodeling ideas that show up each December. If you’re planning to remodel your home, here are some home renovation ideas for 2019: 
Open layouts, less clutter – “Open concept” is a term that is often heard in home improvement programs seen on HGTV, TLC and Bravo when describing floor plans. Sleek, modern lines with hidden, innovative storage solutions are definitely a “thing” in 2019. Gone are the days of leaving your toaster, blender or other appliances on the kitchen counter full-time. Instead, homeowners and designers are integrating appliances like microwaves into cabinets, pull-outs, and below counters. Adding to the open feel is a movement by designers to feature fewer upper cabinets, which makes for a greater feeling of space in the kitchen, and adding wide, deep drawers to help declutter kitchens and bathrooms. 
Induction cooktops – Consumer Reports explains how these smooth cooking areas work: “With induction cooktops, the element below the surface generates an electromagnetic field. The field interacts with a pot and the pot itself gets hot. Therefore, if you turn on an element where there’s no pot, it won’t heat up.” There are some downsides, including high prices, but as more offerings come to market, prices will become more affordable. Also, if your current cookware isn’t magnetic, you’ll need to replace it to work with the new cooktop and finally, the magnets that generate the heat could cause trouble for users with pacemakers. Pro tip: they are easy to clean and the smooth appearance of your cooktop goes well with the sleek, modern lines of kitchen trends for 2019. 
Farmhouse-style sinks – Another trend in kitchen remodeling is to replace the sink. Our research found a great number of experts like the functionality that comes with a large, single basin, whether it’s old-fashioned or something more modern in design. Some manufacturers provide a cover for the large sink, which delivers more counter space when needed and also can hide dirty dishes. 
Smart appliances/technology – The “smart” home is here to stay, with today’s kitchens having features like touchless faucets, automatic in-cabinet lighting and wireless charging for cell phones. Throughout the house, Amazon’s Echo, Apple’s Siri or Google’s Home can help with remote lighting and thermostat controls or turning appliances on or off when you’re away from home. New bathroom features include warming drawers for linens and robes, wireless music systems, TVs, smart locks or touchless toilets that flush with the wave of a hand. Not as new, heated flooring in the bathroom is nice to have after your shower on a chilly winter morning. 
Sustainable, organic materials and design – More and more designers are utilizing natural materials like wood, stone, iron, copper and concrete in their kitchen or bathroom plans, and many are sourcing recycled materials or using local suppliers to reduce the carbon emissions of transporting these items. LED lighting can help brighten your home, while at the same time being more efficient than similar halogen or fluorescent offerings. Another green trend is passive solar design, which positions a home’s windows and walls to absorb the most sun and heat in the winter months and keep the house cool and airy in the summer months. This sustainable design, a concept that has been used for thousands of years, reduces the need for electrical or gas heating and cooling systems.
When making home improvements, not everything can be “in” or “hot.” Our tour of the year-end lists showed that some home designs are showing signs of age. For instance: 

Stainless – Experts say this is a dated design whose time has run out. The refrigerator of 2019 will be taller with modular storage ability, and that stainless steel shell is being replaced with bright, attention-grabbing colors.

White kitchens – White kitchens were in vogue in 2000, but bright colors, Spanish and Italian tiles and even matte black cabinets and counters are what we’ll see in this year’s redesigns.

Subway tile – Very utilitarian and very popular in kitchens and bathrooms across the country since the 1950s, subway tile has had its day, according to the experts. If you have it in your house, don’t despair, as the white tiles with black trim are sure to make a comeback.

Marble or granite surfaces – These pricey surfaces are being replaced by concrete, which is considered more budget-friendly while being modern and industrial, with mid-century Terrazzo surfaces also making a comeback. Better Homes and Gardens says quartz countertops will also be popular in the New Year.
 No matter what the experts say, if you plan to spend many years to come in your home, be sure to choose design features that suit your needs and taste. If you can afford it, consider consulting with a professional about what you’re trying to achieve with your home renovations before the work begins. Ultimately, the goal is to help make your home just that…your home. Whether you choose to renovate your kitchen, bathroom or another part of the house, be sure to remodel your homeowner’s insurance, too. Many of these projects might leave gaps in coverage, as your existing homeowner’s insurance policy might not protect the updated look and value of your home. Meeting with your insurance agent might not be in your initial plans, but it’s a vital component of protecting new upgrades, and you might find that some smart home upgrades may even qualify for an insurance discount. EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

Your guide to the healthiest foods in the supermarket.​Eating healthy has oodles of positive benefits – for the body and the mind alike. When we eat well we feel good, when we feel good we’re happier, when we’re happier we’re more productive… and the wonderful cycle continues. Increasingly, shops and restaurants around the world are getting on the healthy eating bandwagon – making it easier for people to treat their bodies right. This list of 10 of the healthiest foods in the world is just a beginning guide – a way to understand the essential vitamins and minerals the human body needs to stay functioning at its best. And as an added boost – these healthy foods are all downright delicious! 1. SPINACHThis nutrient-dense green superfood is readily available – fresh, frozen or even canned. One of the healthiest foods on the planet, spinach is packed with energy while low in calories, and provides Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and essential folate.EASY EATING TIP: Sauté with onion and add to an omelet for an easy, healthy meal.2. BLACK BEANSFilled with super healthy antioxidants, black beans digest slowly – keeping you feeling full for longer. These little beauties are full of calcium, protein and fiber, and they also taste great!EASY EATING TIP: Think Mexican food! Burritos, nachos, tacos… whatever tickles your fancy.3. WALNUTSWith more antioxidants than any other nut, walnuts are also brimming with Vitamin E, and rich in plant serums, omega 3 oils, and healthy fats.EASY EATING TIP: Keep a supply in your bag for an easy, healthy snack on-the-go4. BEETSGood for the brain and skilled at lowering blood pressure, the humble beet is often overlooked as one of the healthiest foods on earth. The brightly-colored root vegetable is filled with folate, magnesium and Vitamin C.EASY EATING TIP: Grate them into salads for a sweet, crunchy boost.5. AVOCADOEating just one or two avocados a week gives you all the benefit of healthy monounsaturated fats, Vitamin B6 and loads of folate. Check with your local grocer to find out when this spreadable fruit is in season in your area.EASY EATING TIP: On toast with salt and pepper, or a slice of cheese if you’re that way inclined.6. DARK CHOCOLATEAccording to recent research, chocolate contains more antioxidants, gram-for-gram, than most fruit juices – great news for chocoholics! On top of protecting the body from diseases and helping to prevent heart conditions, dark chocolate is a natural mood-booster.EASY EATING TIP: Eat this healthy food in moderation – just one or two squares per day is enough to reap the benefits.7. RASPBERRIESLike most berries, raspberries are filled with antioxidants, to help keep the body healthy and free of disease. Fresh or frozen, they also provide Vitamin C, calcium and iron.EASY EATING TIP: Sprinkle them on yogurt or porridge in the morning to start your day in a sweet and delicious way. 8. GARLICThis pungent bulb has been used to ward off disease for centuries, as it inhibits the growth of bacteria, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure and has some serious anti-inflammatory power.EASY EATING TIP: Crush it and cook it. Garlic tastes great in everything from dressings and sauces to curries and soups.9. LEMONSOften touted as the world’s healthiest food, lemons have strong anti-inflammatory qualities and can help to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. They also have just as much Vitamin C as oranges.EASY EATING TIP: Add a slice of lemon to your tea or water bottle to get healthy and hydrated at the same time. 10. LENTILSLast but not least, this mighty legume is high in fiber and protein and adds great taste and texture to any meal. Vegans and vegetarians are often a fan of using lentils as a meat substitute in traditional recipes.EASY EATING TIP: Add to salads, soups and stews for some extra oomph. EMERGE INSUANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

Simple changes to your lifestyle can help you lose weight and keep it off.By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD Sure, you can lose weight quickly. There are plenty of fad diets that work to shed pounds rapidly — while leaving you feeling hungry and deprived. But what good is losing weight only to regain it? To keep pounds off permanently, it’s best to lose weight slowly. And many experts say you can do that without going on a “diet.” Instead, the key is making simple tweaks to your lifestyle.One pound of fat — is equal to 3,500 calories. By shaving 500 calories a day through dietary and exercise modifications, you can lose about a pound a week. If you only need to maintain your current weight, shaving 100 calories a day is enough to avoid the extra 1-2 pounds most adults gain each year.Adopt one or more of these simple, painless strategies to help lose weight without going on a “diet”: 

Eat Breakfast Every Day. One habit that’s common to many people who have lost weight and kept it off is eating breakfast every day. “Many people think skipping breakfast is a great way to cut calories, but they usually end up eating more throughout the day, says Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, author of The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to the New Food Pyramids. “Studies show people who eat breakfast have lower BMIs than breakfast-skippers and perform better, whether at school or in the boardroom.” Try a bowl of whole-grain cereal topped with fruit and low-fat dairy for a quick and nutritious start to your day.

Close the Kitchen at Night. Establish a time when you will stop eating so you won’t give in to the late-night munchies or mindless snacking while watching television. “Have a cup of tea, suck on a piece of hard candy or enjoy a small bowl of light ice cream or frozen yogurt if you want something sweet after dinner, but then brush your teeth so you will be less likely to eat or drink anything else,” suggests Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, WebMD’s “Recipe Doctor” and the author of Comfort Food Makeovers.

Choose Liquid Calories Wisely. Sweetened drinks pile on the calories, but don’t reduce hunger like solid foods do. Satisfy your thirst with water, sparkling water with citrus, skim or low-fat milk, or small portions of 100% fruit juice. Try a glass of nutritious and low-calorie vegetable juice to hold you over if you get hungry between meals. Be careful of alcohol calories, which add up quickly. If you tend to drink a glass or two of wine or a cocktail on most days, limiting alcohol to the weekends can be a huge calorie saver.

Eat More Produce. Eating lots of low-calorie, high-volume fruits and vegetables crowds out other foods that are higher in fat and calories. Move the meat off the center of your plate and pile on the vegetables. Or try starting lunch or dinner with a vegetable salad or bowl of broth-based soup, suggests Barbara Rolls, PhD, author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan. The U.S. government’s 2005 Dietary Guidelines suggest that adults get 7-13 cups of produce daily. Ward says that’s not really so difficult: “Stock your kitchen with plenty of fruits and vegetables and at every meal and snack, include a few servings,” she says. “Your diet will be enriched with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, fiber, and if you fill up on super-nutritious produce, you won’t be reaching for the cookie jar.”

Go for the Grain. By substituting whole grains for refined grains like white bread, cakes, cookies, and pretzels, you add much-needed fiber and will fill up faster so you’re more likely to eat a reasonable portion. Choose whole-wheat breads and pastas, brown rice, bran flakes, popcorn, and whole-rye crackers.

Control Your Environments. Another simple strategy to help cut calories is to control your environment — everything from stocking your kitchen with lots of healthy options to choosing the right restaurants. That means avoiding the temptation by staying away from all-you-can-eat restaurants. And when it comes to parties, “eat a healthy snack before so you won’t be starving, and be selective when you fill your plate at the buffet,” suggests Ward. Before going back for more food, wait at least 15 minutes and have a big glass of water.

Trim Portions. If you did nothing else but reduce your portions by 10%-20%, you would lose weight. Most of the portions served both in restaurants and at home are bigger than you need. Pull out the measuring cups to get a handle on your usual portion sizes, and work on paring them down. Get instant portion control by using small bowls, plates, and cups, says Brian Wansink, PhD, author of Mindless Eating. You won’t feel deprived because the food will look plentiful on dainty dishware.

Add More Steps. Get yourself a pedometer and gradually add more steps until you reach 10,000 per day. Throughout the day, do whatever you can to be more active — pace while you talk on the phone, take the dog out for an extra walk, and march in place during television commercials. Having a pedometer serves as a constant motivator and reminder.

Have Protein at Every Meal and Snack. Adding a source of lean or low-fat protein to each meal and snack will help keep you feeling full longer so you’re less likely to overeat. Try low-fat yogurt, small portion of nuts, peanut butter, eggs, beans, or lean meats. Experts also recommend eating small, frequent meals and snacks (every 3-4 hours), to keep your blood sugar levels steady and to avoid overindulging.

Switch to Lighter Alternatives. Whenever you can, use the low-fat versions of salad dressings, mayonnaise, dairy products, and other products. “You can trim calories effortlessly if you use low-fat and lighter products, and if the product is mixed in with other ingredients, no one will ever notice,” says Magee. More smart substitutions: Use salsa or hummus as a dip; spread sandwiches with mustard instead of mayo; eat plain roasted sweet potatoes instead of loaded white potatoes; use skim milk instead of cream in your coffee; hold the cheese on sandwiches; and use a little vinaigrette on your salad instead of piling on the creamy dressing.

 SourcesSOURCES: WebMD Feature: “With Fruits and Veggies, More Matters.” 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines. Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, author, The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to the New Food Pyramids. Elaine Magee, MPH, RD,author, Comfort Food Makeovers. Brian Wansink, PhD, professor and director, Cornell Food and Brand Lab, Ithaca, N.Y.; author, Mindless Eating. Barbara Rolls, PhD, professor of nutritional sciences; and director, laboratory for the study of human ingestive behaviors, Penn State University; and author, The Volumetrics Eating Plan.EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

Many people feel as if they’re adrift in the world. They work hard, but they don’t seem to get anywhere worthwhile.A key reason that they feel this way is that they haven’t spent enough time thinking about what they want from life, and haven’t set themselves formal goals. After all, would you set out on a major journey with no real idea of your destination? Probably not! Top-level athletes, successful businesspeople and achievers in all fields all set goals. Setting goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation. It focuses your acquisition of knowledge, and helps you to organize your time and your resources so that you can make the most of your life. Goal Setting – Think in terms of setting “SMART” goalsYou could say that the whole human endeavour is geared towards setting and achieving goals. Goals are part of every aspect of life: how you conduct your relationships, what you want to achieve at work, the way you use your spare time… Everything comes down to priorities, and what you would like to accomplish in every aspect – whether you make a conscious choice or go with subconscious preferences. Without setting goals or objectives, life becomes a series of chaotic happenings you don’t control. You become the plaything of coincidence. Accomplishments like sending someone to the moon, inventing the iPod etcetera are the result of a goal that was set at some point. A vision that was charted and realized. What is SMART goal setting?SMART goal setting brings structure and trackability into your goals and objectives. Instead of vague resolutions, SMART goal setting creates verifiable trajectories towards a certain objective, with clear milestones and an estimation of the goal’s attainabililty. Every goal or objective, from intermediary step to overarching objective, can be made S.M.A.R.T. and as such, brought closer to reality. In corporate life and your personal life, SMART goal setting is one of the most effective and yet least used tools for achieving goals. Once you’ve charted to outlines of your project or objective, it’s time to set specific intermediary goals.   What does S.M.A.R.T. goal setting stand for?Why not think of a small goal you want to set right now, personal or professional. To make your goal S.M.A.R.T., it needs to conform to the following criteria: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely. S.M.A.R.T. goal setting: SpecificWhat exactly do you want to achieve? The more specific your description, the bigger the chance you’ll get exactly that. S.M.A.R.T. goal setting clarifies the difference between ‘I want to be a millionaire’ and ‘I want to make $50,000 a month for the next ten years by creating a new software product’.Questions you may ask yourself when setting your goals and objectives are:
What exactly do I want to achieve?
Where?
How?
When?
With whom?
What are the conditions and limitations?
Why exactly do I want to reach this goal? What are possible alternative ways of achieving the same?
 S.M.A.R.T. goal setting: MeasurableMeasurable goals means that you identify exactly what it is you will see, hear and feel when you reach your goal. It means breaking your goal down into measurable elements. You’ll need concrete evidence. Being happier is not evidence; not smoking anymore because you adhere to a healthy lifestyle where you eat vegetables twice a day and fat only once a week, is. Measurable goals can go a long way in refining what exactly it is that you want, too. Defining the physical manifestations of your goal or objective makes it clearer, and easier to reach. S.M.A.R.T. goal setting: AttainableIs your goal attainable? That means investigating whether the goal really is acceptable to you. You weigh the effort, time and other costs your goal will take against the profits and the other obligations and priorities you have in life. If you don’t have the time, money or talent to reach a certain goal you’ll certainly fail and be miserable. That doesn’t mean that you can’t take something that seems impossible and make it happen by planning smartly and going for it! There’s nothing wrong with shooting for the stars; if you aim to your improve your health by losing 100 pounds, how bad is it when you only 60 pounds? Not too bad…you still improved your health. S.M.A.R.T. goal setting: RelevantIs reaching your goal relevant to you? Do you actually want to run a multinational, be famous, have three children and a busy job? You decide for yourself whether you have the personality for it, or your team has the bandwidth. If you’re lacking certain skills, you can plan trainings. If you lack certain resources, you can look for ways of getting them. The main questions, why do you want to reach this goal? What is the objective behind the goal, and will this goal really achieve that?  S.M.A.R.T. goal setting: TimelyTime is money! Everybody knows that deadlines are what makes most people switch to action. So install deadlines, for yourself  and go after them. Keep the timeline realistic and flexible, that way you can keep your morale high. Being too stringent on the timely aspect of your goal setting can have the perverse effect of making the learning path of achieving your goals and objectives into a hellish race against time – which is most likely not how you want to achieve anything. If you don’t already set goals, do so, starting now. As you make this technique part of your life, you’ll find your career accelerating, your personal life more fulfilling, and you’ll wonder how you did without it!EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884

An insurance company can cancel your homeowners insurance policy for a variety of different reasons. In fact, it is quite common for companies to cancel or refuse to renew policies and it often leaves homeowners shopping around for coverage that is necessary to carry.Having homeowners insurance is not a negotiable for many people (especially because having homeowner’s insurance is a requirement of banks or lenders, therefore it is important to understand why it can be canceled or up for non-renewalCancellation vs NonrenewalHomeowners often use the word “cancellation” when they talk about losing their home insurance policy unexpectedly, but there’s a difference between cancellation and non-renewal.Cancellation of a policy happens before the policy’s term has been completed. Cancellation can be sudden, and how much notice you receive depends on the regulations in your state. Your insurer can cancel your policy for any reason during the first 60 days of the policy; the most common reason for cancellation during this time is non-payment of premium. After you’ve had the policy for 60 days, your insurer can only cancel your policy for specific serious reasons such as non-payment, or fraud or misrepresentation in the information you gave them when you bought the policy.Non-renewal of a policy happens at the end of the policy’s term. When the end of the term is approaching, your insurance company will notify you that they are either considering non-renewal unless you comply with certain conditions, or that they have decided not to renew your policy. With non-renewal, you have time to comply with any conditions your insurance company has given you, or to shop around for another policy. Here are 8 things that can trigger cancellation or non-renewal of your homeowners insurance:Large ClaimsIf you’ve made a large claim compared to the value of your home, especially if you caused the damage yourself, your insurance company may decide that you are too big of a risk and decline to renew your policy.Too Many ClaimsJust like with a large claim, making too many claims during your policy’s term can send a red flag to your insurance company. While the occasional claim is to be expected, several claims within the same policy term can lead your insurer to decide that you’re too much of a risk.Poor Payment HistoryIf you are frequently late with premium payments, or if your payments are very late, your insurance company can decide not to renew your policy or can even cancel your policy before the term is finished.Some Unexpected RisksMost homeowners aren’t aware that more and more insurance companies are now doing curbside “spot-checks” to look for things that may pose a financial risk for them. You may not even know your home has been spot-checked until you get a letter from the insurance company telling you that you need to make changes or face non-renewal of your policy. Here are some of the risks that have caused homeowners to receive these letters, seemingly out of the blue. Some of these may surprise you:
Condition of the roof
Swimming pool
Trampoline
Debris and cleanliness of the roof
New dog of an unapproved type (e.g. large or “dangerous” breed; check your policy before bringing home a new dog)

Not Passing an InspectionSome insurance companies will request a short inspection before they renew your policy. Common things that lead to non-renewal after an inspection are the items in the list above, as well as:
Not meeting fire codes (e.g. dangerous conditions in the kitchen)
Bad pipes

Criminal Charges that Indicate RiskIf you ever face criminal charges, your insurance company will find out about it. If the charges carry with them anything that hints that you may be an insurance risk, such as a citation for illegal burning, an assault charge, a charge involving your dog, etc., then your insurer may decide not to renew your policy.Leaving a Home Vacant for 60 DaysMost insurers will decide not to renew a policy on a home if they discover that it has been left vacant for 60 days.Giving Incorrect InformationIf your insurance company discovers that you gave them incorrect information when you purchased the policy, such as giving the incorrect number of residents or not disclosing that you had a dog, you can face non-renewal or cancellation of your policy.Be mindful of these triggers to avoid a surprise non-renewal letter, and  work with your independent agent to keep your home properly insuredIf your policy is cancelled, our agency will still have replacement options for you to consider.EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY904-677-5884 

An insurance company can cancel your homeowners insurance policy for a variety of different reasons. In fact, it is quite common for companies to cancel or refuse to renew policies and it often leaves homeowners shopping around for coverage that is necessary to carry.Having homeowners insurance is not a negotiable for many people (especially because a condition of have a mortgage is that you maintain insurance on your home), therefore it is important to understand why it can be canceled or up for non-renewal.Homeowners Insurance Cancellation vs Non-RenewalWhile many people use the term cancellation for both cancellation and non-renewal of a homeowners insurance policy, they are indeed very different. Cancellation is when the policy is stopped following notification of the policyholder. A policy that has been in effect for more than 60 days can not be canceled unless you are not paying your premiums or you have committed fraud in the information you gave the insurance company.Non-renewal of a policy is an entirely different story. It is when a company has decided to not offer you another policy when your current one is up for renewal. It can happen for a variety of reasons from insurance policy changes to too many claims on your part to failure to meet certain guidelines the company wants met. With non-renewal, you typically have more time to shop around and find alternate coverage.Reasons for Homeowners Insurance Cancellations and Non-RenewalsThere are many reasons that homeowners insurance may be canceled or not renewed. In some situations, it is completely preventable by the homeowner. However, in many other situations, it is completely out of the hands of those who own the house.Some of the preventable reasons for homeowners insurance cancellations and non-renewals include:
Non-payment of premiums
Non-disclosure to the company or giving incorrect information
Failing to comply with safety guidelines, such as removing things like pools and trampolines
Not meeting fire codes or other recommendations
Too many claims on a policy
Criminal charges that arise from an activity that raises the risk of your homeowners insurance policy
Neglecting to perform necessary repairs in order to reduce t
he risk to your homeowners insurance
Leaving the home vacant for over 60 days

Some of the reasons for cancellation of homeowners insurance (in Florida you must be given 120 days notice) that are unpreventable include:
A company deciding to no longer offer coverage in a particular area or state
Change in company policies concerning the type of homes they will insure
Discontinuation of the complete home line of coverage
Limiting the number of policies in one geographic area

What to do When Your Homeowners Insurance is Being Canceled or Not RenewedIf you happen to be faced with your homeowners insurance being canceled or not renewed, you will be given some notice. How much will depend on whether or not you are being canceled for just cause like non-payment of your premiums or whether you are simply not being renewed at the anniversary date of your policy. Whatever the cause, you will need to start shopping around for a new policy and comparing quotes from other companies, especially if you have an existing loan on the property. The bank will require you to carry homeowners insurance to protect his investment as long as you owe money on the home.Following cancellation for just cause, you will typically find it more difficult to find homeowners insurance. It will not be impossible, but it will likely be much more costly than before. Your insurance record will follow you and potential new insurers will know the reason for your cancellation, making you a higher risk for them.If you are facing non-renewal, you may or may not have difficulty finding new coverage. If the non-renewal is because of a change in the company’s policies, you will likely be able to easily find competitive pricing from one of the many other insurance companies on the market. However, if your policy is non-renewable because of something you did or neglected to do, you will find higher rates and more problems finding companies to cover you in your future.​Compare Home Insurance Rates from Top CompaniesWhen cancelled or non-renewed, the reason for that action must be taken into consideration when shopping for a new policy. That’s where an independent agent come in. An independent agent will know the underwriting guidelines of the companies, and can then shop among the companies that will allow for the condition or reason that created the cancellation or non-renewal.  EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY909-677-5884

Dwelling coverageThe dwelling portion of home insurance covers your home and attached structures, such as a garage.Home insurance will cover you if you need to file a claim for a “covered peril.” Covered perils include:
Fire and smoke damage
Windstorms
Hail
Lightning strikes
Vandalism and malicious destruction
Theft
Damage from a vehicle
Damage caused by the weight of snow, sleet or ice (obviously not listed for you Floridians)

Dwelling coverage isn’t just for the physical structure. It also covers wiring, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems (what’s permanently attached to the home). In Florida many insurance companies cover swimming pool under “dwelling coverage” if the pool deck is connected to the home.Other StructuresOther structures insurance covers structures on your property that aren’t attached to your home. Other property includes a detached garage, a shed, or a fence.Personal property coveragePersonal property coverage, also called contents coverage, covers the property within your home, including:
Furniture
Electronics
Appliances
Clothing

You can choose replacement value or actual cash value for your personal property. Here are the differences:
Reimbursement value reimburses you the full amount to replace items if they are stolen or damaged; actual cash value reimburses you the amount the items are worth now after years of depreciation.
Replacement value is more expensive than actual cash value.

​Let’s say a burglar steals your five-year-old flat-screen TV. If you have replacement value coverage, your insurance company reimburses you the money to buy the same type of new TV. Actual cash value gives you what your five-year-old TV is worth after five years of use.If you have expensive items, you may need a separate endorsement for valuables. You add an endorsement, also called a rider, to your insurance policy to protect valuable property. An endorsement can include jewelry, fine art, guns, and sports memorabilia.When requesting a home insurance quote, ask whether you should add your expensive items under a separate endorsement.                                                                                                                                                                                 Home or personal liability insurance coverageLiability insurance covers you for visitor injuries on your property. Liability insurance covers not only a legal settlement but also your legal fees (up to your liability limit).According to Donald Griffin, vice president of personal lines for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCIAA), many liability insurance policies will cover you even if an incident happens away from your home.​He recommends buying an excess liability or an umbrella policy that offers coverage of $1 million beyond your home insurance and car insurance policy coverage. These policies are relatively inexpensive, often costing $200 to $300 per year.”You don’t want to lose your home because you failed to buy an insurance policy,” says Griffin.Loss of use coverageLoss of use coverage covers you if your home is damaged (from a covered peril) and you have to live somewhere else while it’s repaired. Loss of use coverage includes paying for hotel rooms and meals while you’re displaced.If a fire damages your home, you can make a claim for loss of use coverage by submitting paperwork documenting your living expenses.The loss of use standard for most homeowner insurance policies is a benefit worth 20 percent of your home’s replacement value. When you get a home insurance quote, find out if the policy specifies any limitations or exclusions on loss of use.EMERGE INSURANCE AGENCY – (904)677-5884​