Category: Home Insurance

As the weather warms up and the days get longer, it’s time to start thinking about spring maintenance for your home. After a long winter, your home may need some TLC to get it ready for the warmer months ahead. Here are a few spring maintenance tips for your Maryville, TN home from Carr Insurance Group to help you get started.

Spring Maintenance Tips

Check Your Home’s Exterior 

As winter ends, it’s essential to inspect your home’s exterior for any damage that may have occurred throughout the season. Look for cracks in the foundation, missing or damaged shingles, and any other signs of wear and tear. If you notice any problems, be sure to get them fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

Clean Your Gutters 

One of the most important—but often overlooked—spring maintenance tasks is cleaning your gutters. Clogged gutters can lead to severe water damage, so removing any leaves, dirt, or debris that may have accumulated over the winter months is essential. You should also check for leaks or cracks in your gutters and ensure they’re adequately sealed before the rainy season begins.

Service Your HVAC System 

After a long winter of running your heating system non-stop, giving your HVAC system a little TLC in the springtime is essential. Schedule a tune-up with a qualified technician to clean your system and ensure it’s running correctly. This will help extend its lifespan and prevent costly repairs down the road.

Review Your Home Insurance Policy 

As you’re doing your spring cleaning, take some time to review your Maryville, TN home insurance policy. Ensure you have the right coverage for your needs, and update your policy if necessary.

Reach Out To Us

If you need help reviewing your home insurance policy, don’t hesitate to contact Carr Insurance Group—we’re always here to help!

Home insurance is a wise investment, but you need appropriate coverage to protect your home and other facets of homeownership. But since home insurance is a challenging subject, Carr Insurance Group, serving the greater Maryville, TN community, highlights tips about getting the most out of your home insurance.

 How to Get the Most Out of Your Home Insurance Policy

Update your home insurance policy

Update your home insurance at least once per year. This ensures all your insurance needs are well cared for. It also ensures you are paying the right amount of premiums. Sometimes, you don’t have to wait for a year to lapse to review your home insurance. If you make significant renovations, welcome a dangerous pet, or add personal assets, inform your insurance agent right away.

Understand what your home insurance covers

Understanding what your home insurance covers is essential in your claim filing process. It also helps you understand the gaps in your policy to purchase add-ons to boost your coverage. The best way to understand your coverage is to read your policy document.

Partnering with the right insurance agent

Your insurance agent is like your financial advisor; hence you can’t afford to get it wrong. Always choose a trusted and knowledgeable insurance agent. Your insurance agent analyzes your current insurance needs and recommends a policy that is best suited for your needs.

Keeping an inventory list

Most homeowners tend to rely on their memory when it comes to assets in their possession. Your memory will likely fail you, especially when you encounter widespread catastrophes like flooding or fire. Always keep an updated inventory list. This will simplify your claim process.

Contact Us Today

Want to learn more about home insurance in Maryville, TN? Please get in touch with Carr Insurance Group. We will tell you everything you need to know about home insurance and help you to get coverage that best suits your current needs.

As a homeowner, the purchase of your home is probably one of the largest investments you’ll ever make. As a result, most homeowners want to know that their investment is protected from damage and any number of unexpected situations. Fortunately, homeowners insurance is designed to do just that-provide protection for one of your largest investments. However, homeowners should be aware of any situation or item that isn’t typically covered by homeowners insurance. 

What’s Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Typically, homeowners insurance covers four primary areas. These areas include your home or dwelling, any other structures or buildings on your property, your personal property or belongings, and liability. Liability coverage is designed to protect you should a visitor become injured while at your home. Liability coverage also includes damage to a visitor’s personal property. A homeowners’ policy simply covers the repair or replacement of your home and your personal items should anything happen. The damage can come from fire, poor weather, smoke, as well as theft and vandalism. Damage from inclement weather can come from lightning, wind, and hail. 

What’s NOT Covered?

Although homeowners insurance covers many things, there are a few key things that aren’t covered under a standard homeowners’ insurance policy. Our team at Carr insurance Group knows that understanding what’s covered and what’s not can be confusing. As a result, we’re committed to helping Maryville, TN homeowners understand coverage guidelines. Homeowners should understand that a standard policy won’t cover valuable jewelry beyond a certain dollar amount, artwork and collectibles, or damage caused by natural disasters like an earthquake or flood. These scenarios would require a homeowner to purchase separate policies or additional amendments to cover these areas. If you still have questions about what’s not covered under a standard policy, give us a call. We’re standing by. 

You have home insurance to protect the things that you have worked your whole life for. One thing that may make your home life feel even more secure is an at-home security system. Your home insurance company will reward you for it too.

There’s more to an at-home security system than benefits to your Tennessee home insurance policy. At Carr Insurance Group, we want Maryville, TN homeowners to feel secure and prevent every possible risk.

Here is how you can protect your valuables with home security.

Monitored Home Alarm System

When you have a monitored home alarm system, insurance companies like this. You don’t need to spend a lot here either. Insurance companies like this because this is a professional system that will handle threats and insurance risks almost immediately. A monitored system is key here.

You want an alarm system with a code and a company that will take care of threats for you. You can usually get this at very affordable monthly rates.

And you’ll be safer, which is what insurance companies love most about these.

Smoke Alarms and Flood Alarms

Burglars and vandals and invasions aren’t the only risks to your home and property. You want to protect it from smoke and flooding or inclement weather as well. You can purchase smoke and flood alarms from the hardware store and have them installed.

Outdoor Surveillance

Video surveillance is an excellent addition to any home security system. You don’t have to get too fancy here. There are a number of outdoor cameras at tech stores and online retailers that are very affordable and easy to install.

You may also want to consider adding motion sensor lights. That will help increase the security around your home. These often act as a deterrent to strangers but also can help you with your video feeds.

Get a Quote

At Carr Insurance Group, we know that all of these things are affordable touches that will help keep the homes of Maryville, TN residents safer. With these additions, your home experiences fewer risks. Talk to an insurance agent today about how these home security touches can help with your home insurance policy.

It’s common for many homeowners to renew their home policies year after year without giving it much thought. However, here at the Carr Insurance Group, we think that it is important for our clients in the greater Maryville, TN area to take the time to review their homeowner policies regularly. 

Why your policy needs may change

• Increase in market value — when the property value of your market increases, your home will likely grow too. Don’t be left with inadequate coverage due to changes in the overall market. 
• Improvements to the home — even if you don’t complete a major project like an addition, smaller changes can also increase the value of your home. From updated kitchens and bathrooms to new flooring, you may be surprised by the effect on your home’s value.
• Purchase of large-scale items – with many home policies, there is a limit to the coverage provided for a single item. If you have recently invested in an expensive item, such as artwork or jewelry, you will want to ensure that it is covered. In some instances, it may be appropriate to secure an additional personal items rider or policy.

These are just a few instances where a home’s value may outpace your homeowner’s policy. Don’t find out after it’s too late that you are underinsured due to increases in your home’s value.

Don’t delay, call today.

The team at Carr Insurance Group is here to help you with all of your insurance needs in the greater Maryville, TN area. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken a close look at your homeowner’s policy, it’s time to do so. Give us a call today and set up your review appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

As a homeowner, it’s essential to understand what your home insurance protects you against. Most home insurance policies cover slips and falls on your property. However, every policy is different. The agents at Carr Insurance Group in Maryville, TN can help you review and optimize your policy.  

Slips and Falls Covered by Home Insurance

You aren’t liable for every slip or fall on your property. Typically, you’re responsible if your negligence caused the accident. A random fall due to someone losing their balance might not fall on your shoulders. However, if a guest falls on the stairs due to ongoing construction, you would be liable for injuries and related expenses. A representative at Carr Insurance Group can help you understand specific examples where you would be responsible and ensure that your home insurance covers likely scenarios.

How Does Home Insurance Work for Slips and Falls

Home insurance covers legal defense and the payout if someone brings a slip and fall suit against you. You are only responsible if the court decides your negligence caused the fall. If someone trips over their shoelaces, they can’t sue you for medical damages. However, if your loose carpet or wet floor causes them to slip, you may be held liable. 

Examples of slips and falls most home insurance covers:

• Slip and fall on an unshoveled driveway
• Guest tripping over a skateboard concealed by clutter
• Fall due to a loose floorboard
• Visitor trips over poorly maintained tree roots in your yard

Medical Payments Home Insurance

The medical payments portion of your home insurance can pay for emergency medical expenses without determining who was at fault. This would cover you without involving a lawyer or adjuster.

Contact Carr Insurance Group in Maryville, TN to find out more about your home insurance or to set up an appointment for a free quote.