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Scotia, NY 12302

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Author: agentinsure

Is Your Home Underinsured?

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Homeowners faced with the economic downturn, rising taxes and stagnant wages look for ways to save money. Many have discovered that by lowering the replacement value on your homeowner’s insurance, the monthly bill goes down. But before you check the win column on that savings, you may want to determine whether or not you just became underinsured. At the DePaulo Agency serving Scotia, NY, we believe it’s important that you are properly insured.

Market Value vs Replacement Cost

Unless your home is fairly new, the difference between what it’s worth and what it would cost to rebuild may be worlds apart. The national average for home-building costs hovers around $125 per square foot. The average home built in 2015 was about 2,600 square feet.

That means average replacement costs for an average new home run $325,000.

Now the average home built during the early 1980s is about 1,700 square feet. But if you incur a total loss due to fire or natural disaster, you will not be rebuilding at 1980s prices. New construction would run you about $212,000. That number also doesn’t account for razing and clearing your lot. While this highlights the danger of being underinsured on average, older homes may cost more to rebuild.

The Older Home Conundrum

As homes age, there can be a cost-beneficial market depreciation for buyers and ultimately homeowners. That real brick fireplace, ornate woodworking, and thick hardwood floors bring an old-world luster that’s difficult to find in new homes. Ironically, that allure often comes at a lower cost than new construction.

But if you suffer a loss, rebuilding will most certainly be based on today’s construction costs. Those hardwood floors, brick fireplace, and ornate woodwork, are often considered high-end items. Recapturing the beauty of your older home will come at a premium. Before saving a few bucks by insuring your home at today’s average replacement costs, get an estimate that details what it would take to restore your home to the way you want it. The two numbers are likely to be significantly different.

The drive to save money on your homeowner’s insurance can end up costing you dearly if you suffer loss. At the DePaulo Agency serving Scotia, NY, we urge people to have policies that realistically cover replacement costs. After all, security is the very basis of any homeowner’s insurance.

January is Predicted to be Cold in Soctia Ny, Here are Four Winter Home Tips

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Extreme cold is no stranger to New York. However, there are certain things new homeowners should do when it hits. If you make sure to prepare your home for extreme cold fronts, and if you know in advance what to do if something goes wrong, you can save a lot of money in home repairs this winter.

  1. Protect water pipes in advance of freeze warnings. There are insulated pipe covers for sale in a variety of shades so exposed pipes can be protected from freezing and not clash with the home.
  2. Cover low basement windows and vents leading to the underside of home. Insulated foam panels made to look like shutters make great window covers for ground level basement windows that allow freezing air to seep in during the coldest of nights. Any vents that lead to the crawl space should also be covered on the coldest of nights.
  3. If you have outdoor pets consider bringing them in, at least as far as the garage or a barn. Dogs and cats may have fur coats, but they are not made to withstand freezing temperatures.
  4. Leave strategic pipes on a slow drip to avoided having them freeze in place. Many people leave a bathtub and kitchen sink dripping through the night when there is a risk of a pipe freezing.

Keep in mind that sometimes things do go wrong, when they do it is best to have prepared by having a plan. Where are your main valves to turn of the water to the house? Are you prepared to be snowed in when it comes to medicine, water , and food? Plan for any event and take a moment to prepare for the cold to prevent discomfort and costly repairs.

Contact us at the DePaulo Agency for all of your home insurance needs in and around Scotia, NY.

 

 

How to Prevent Water Damage in a Home

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Having home insurance from DePaulo Agency in Scotia, NY, will ensure your home and goods are covered in the event of water damage. At the same time, there’s much you can do to minimize this risk. By keeping your home safe from water, fire and other hazardous risks, you can retain your property value. Here are a few ways to prevent water damage from ruining your home and personal belongings.   

Plant Trees with Care 

Trees and flora should be planted with care to avoid having invasive roots grow into water lines and cause damage to pipes, sprinkler system or septic tank. Damaged pipes could cause water damage to the structure of your home. 

Monitor Changes in Water Bill

An unexpected increase in your water bill is a warning sign that there could be water leaks in your home. By keeping an eye on your water costs, you can be alerted to an unusual jump in price that signals possible leakage. Even small water leaks inside bathroom or kitchen walls or cabinets can cause a lot of damage over time.

Clear Gutters

Twice a year in spring and fall homeowners should clear their home’s gutters to avoid water backing up unto the roof of their home. As leaves, dirt and debris clog up gutters, they block the flow of rainwater. This water can accumulate on the roof and eventually leak into a home, damaging the roof, walls and flooring.

Avoid Chemicals to Unclog Drains

Kitchen and bathroom sink clogs are fairly common in most homes. Most drain cleaners contain strong chemicals that can corrode water pipes over time, causing water to leak into your home. By using a drain snake to unclog sinks, you reduce the risk of damaging water pipes, which will protect your home from water leakage.  

To learn more about safeguarding your home from water damage, contact DePaulo Agency, Scotia, NY, today. We can provide you with full home insurance coverage that will protect you from any eventuality.

The Importance of Cleaning Your Gutters in the Fall

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There are many important things you should do in the fall to prepare your home for the upcoming winter months. Knowing these things can help prevent damage to your home and help prevent you from having to file a homeowner’s insurance claim for damage. Here at DePaulo Agency, we would like to tell you about the importance of cleaning your gutters in the fall in Scotia, NY.

Prior to the rain and snow season, it is important to take the time to clean our your gutters. This includes removing all debris from the gutter, such as leaves, sticks and excess amounts of dirt. If these items are in the gutter channel, rain and water may not be able to flow through the gutter as it should. The biggest problem with this is that in freezing temperatures, this water can freeze. And as it freezes, and more water falls, the block of ice gets larger and larger. Eventually, it can form an ice dam on your roof or become so heavy or large that it cracks the gutter or causes the gutter to collapse. Unfortunately, many homeowner’s insurance policies will exclude claims if they feel the damage was caused due to no maintenance. As such, cleaning your gutters is extremely important.

If you are wondering if your homeowner’s insurance policy will preclude a claim based on poor maintenance, or you simply want to look into starting a new homeowner’s insurance policy, give DePaulo Agency a call today. We serve the greater Scotia, NY area and would love to help you with all of your homeowner’s insurance needs.

 

Business Income Losses and Commercial Insurance

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Something that many an entrepreneur has wondered: To what extent can commercial insurance help you with business income losses, what kind of business losses are covered, and under what circumstances can we collect?

What we’re talking about when we ask these questions is business interruption insurance. Business interruption is a type of commercial insurance that can help to bridge the gaps where a standard policy might not.

For instance, under a business interruption policy, also known as business income insurance, a beneficiary can collect on lost revenue resulting from, for instance, a fire, flood or windstorm.

Here are the costs that a business interruption policy might cover:

  • Rent and lease.
  • Revenue lost due to temporary closure of a business.
  • The expenses involved with operating from a temporary location.
  • Advertising (specifically, advertising to direct customers to your new location).

The circumstances under which you are able to collect on your business interruption policy aren’t so difficult to understand: If your commercial policy covers whatever type of damage it is that your physical location has suffered, then you can file a claim on your business interruption policy.

Note that this type of policy does not cover, for instance, revenue lost due to a failed product launch. For the most part, the risks that we take in business are ours alone to take. However, a business interruption policy from someone like DePaulo Agency can help to ensure that, should something happen to our offices, our restaurant, our convenience store, that we live another day to keep taking those risks, keep innovating, and keep pushing ourselves to greater heights within our chosen industries.

Professional and General Liability Claims to Protect Yourself

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General liability insurance from DePaulo Agency, a commercial insurer covering the Scotia, NY area, covers the basics of commercial insurance. Generally, these policies include the minimum requirements to comply with state law. It’s possible to add on additional coverage to these basic ones.

Bodily Injury and Property Damage

Bodily injury and property damage coverage is part of general liability insurance. This protects a business against claims regarding bodily injury or property damage stemming from the business’ products or services. General liability insurance protects businesses against false claims and arrests, libel and violations against a person’s privacy. It also protects against a malicious prosecution.

Medical Bills

Sometimes, a client, employee or another person may get hurt on the premise. If it’s at any fault of the business, the person may sue, and the company becomes responsible for medical expenses. General liability insurance covers the business in case any medical expenses would accrue as the result of a lawsuit.

Rental Properties

General liability insurance covers any damage done to properties a business rents. This includes any damage that occurred as a result of an explosion or fire. It’s important for a company to protect themselves in the event something happens to a location that doesn’t belong to them.

Copyright and False Advertising

A business is responsible for any false advertising, whether it was to the company’s knowledge or not. In particular, this includes any copyright infringement done by a company. For instance, this means if products, goods or services are advertised the same as another business, whether the company knew or not, the business is responsible, and a lawsuit from the other business may occur.

To learn more about general liability insurance or to open up a policy, contact the DePaulo Agency today.

Do You Really Need Renters Insurance in Scotia, NY?

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As a renter, you may think that you do not need to have renters insurance to protect yourself. While many landlords will not require you to get renters insurance, some will. Even if you are not required to, you may want to consider it for a variety of reasons. One of the best parts of renters insurance is that it is relatively inexpensive so it is not something that will set you back. it can, however, save you in a variety of circumstance. Continue reading to see you may want to consider getting renters insurance.

  • Your belongings are not covered by the insurance your landlord has. If you rent a home or a condo, your landlord likely has some kind of homeowners insurance or condo insurance on the structure. However, if you want your personal belongings to be protected, you will be out of luck with their policies. Only renters insurance can cover you. 
  • It can also provide you with liability coverage. That means that you will be covered if someone injures themselves on the property. It takes the liability out of the equation for you.
  • It may help you in case of a disaster. If a flood happens at the property while you are renting it and you cannot reside there while it is being repaired, you may have to pay for those additional living expenses out of pocket without renters insurance. With renters insurance, though, it will help pay for that so you are not paying rent and the cost of a hotel room.
  • It is affordable. Like previously mentioned, renters insurance is very affordable so there is no reason not to protect yourself and your belongings with a policy.

To get a quote for renters insurance or to explore your options, feel free to contact us today at DePaulo Agency in Scotia, NY.

5 Tips To Save Money While Packing

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So it is time for that big move. Maybe you moving a few block or a few states away. Either way the cost of a move can take a bite out of your bank account. Below are a few ideas on how you save money while packing for your next move.

1. Collect boxes yourself

At a lot of stores will give you boxes for free. If you make it a habit of asking every time you go to the grocery store you can get all the boxes you need free of charge. If you wait till it’s too late those boxes can cost up to $3 a piece and that will add up quickly.

2. Ask your friends and family to help

What are friends for? Hiring help is expensive and most people are glad to lend a hand because they know there is a good chance they will want to call that favor back in.

3. Get rid of stuff you are not going to use

This will save you space and therefor money. It will also give you less to hassle with while packing and unpacking. If you are going to get a new place you might as well have a new start.

4. Save your newspapers to use like bubble wrap

Bubble wrap can be very expensive and since it is made from plastic it’s also not great for the environment. Newspapers are a free and a more environmentally friendly way to protect your fragile belongings.

5. Update your homeowners or renters insurance

Make sure you have the protection you need for your new place. Because fire, damage, and theft are always a real possibility not mention any personal liability you might incur. The best way to do that is to have a talk with a great insurance agent at DePaulo Agency or visit them at

Driving in Scotia and Avoiding Road Rage

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Did you know that aggressive driving directly influences about 66 percent of traffic fatalities? Yes, you read that right. If road rage could be better treated and handled, there are far fewer deaths that would occur on our roadways. This is why it’s imperative to make sure you are avoiding road rage as much as possible. Fortunately, there are several tips you can follow to help ensure you stay as safe as possible while traveling, as well as keep those safe who are traveling with you. 

Make sure you have a firearm permit

If you’re going to carry a firearm on you when traveling, you will need appropriate licensure. Even more important is that you make sure you won’t use the firearm in any type of road rage incident. With firearms being used in more than 30 percent of aggressive driving incidents, it makes sense that keeping these guns at bay during road rage is the smartest move to make. 

Avoid drinking and driving

Abusing alcohol and other drugs is a sure way to end up in a vehicle accident that involves road rage. When this happens, regardless of whose fault it is, having alcohol or drugs in your system and being behind the wheel of a car will land you in jail for at least a DUI. To avoid road rage, make sure you are aren’t drinking and driving or abusing drugs. 

To learn more about avoiding road rage in Scotia, contact DePaulo Agency today. A qualified agent is ready to answer any questions you may have about road rage, as well as provide you with great advice on topics related to insurance. 

ATV Owner Tips

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Living in Scotia, New York can be one of the best locations to drive in ATV. If you are going to own one of these vehicles, there are some tips that you should follow that will help you to get the most out of the overall driving experience.

Safety First

Safety should be your first focus, and this includes having the necessary protection. You may want to invest in shin pads and knee guards. You should never got on your ATV without having a motorcycle helmet, gloves, goggles, and over the ankle boots.

Drive What You’re Comfortable With

You should only drive an ATV that you are comfortable with. If the engine is too strong, it could easily overpower you – and this is when accidents can happen.

Work Your Way Up

Work your way up to the more advanced paths. Start with flat surfaces and as you get more experienced on the vehicle, graduate to some of the more complex trails.

File the Paperwork

File the paperwork with the state and make sure that you have an insurance policy so that your ATV is covered in every possible way.

Choose a Safe Parking Place

Where you choose the park your ATV when it isn’t being driven is important. Theft is common with these vehicles because it is so easy to simply push it off of the property. Ideally, you should be locking it up inside of a garage or shed. If it has to be left outdoors, cover it with a tarp and use heavy-duty chains to secure it in place.

At the DePaulo Agency, we can talk to about how to be safe with your ATV throughout New York. Call and talk to one of our agents today where we can help you to get a good policy and answer any questions that you may have along the way.