Renter's Insurance

An often forgotten insurance coverage is called “renter’s insurance.” 

Renter's insurance provides great coverage for damaged and/or stolen personal items for those who rent their housing. It also provides excellent liability coverage.

If rented housing is damaged by fire, tornado, etc. the renter will have no coverage for destroyed or lost personal items, no coverage for alternative housing (such as room in a motel, etc.) while the damaged rental unit is being repaired.

 

With liability coverage, your assets are being protected. For example, if the apartment or house that you rent burns to the ground and you are found responsible for causing the fire, you will have to pay for the home or apartment to be rebuilt. If you have renter's insurance, your insurance company pays for the home or apartment to be rebuilt.

The cost is about $10 per month for a good renter insurance policy.

Contact your favorite insurance agent (Andrea Shearer, Tessa Everman, Burton Heginger, or Ryan Edgington) at the Triplett Companies (515/232-5240) if you have questions about renter’s insurance and would like a premium quote for Renter Insurance coverage.    

 

VEHICLE LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE ONLY

Vehicle liability insurance coverage protects the insured client involved in an accident for damages for which he/she might be liable due to the accident.

For older vehicles, clients may wish to remove both collision (damage to property due to the accident) and comprehensive (damage due to vandalism, fire, flood, etc.) insurance coverage’s to save money.

 This decision to “drop” both collision and comprehensive vehicle insurance coverage may make sense for a client when the depreciated value of the damaged or stolen vehicle may be less than the cost to replace the vehicle. 

Contact your favorite insurance agent (Andrea Shearer or Tessa Everman) at the Triplett Companies (515/232-5240) in order to determine whether or not you might consider dropping comprehensive and collision insurance coverage on your vehicle(s).

How to Make Your Home More Safe & Secure

A quick once-over of the items on this list may improve the safety and security of your home and could protect your family and friends. It is important to periodically pay attention to these things because things change over time.
Security

• Does each exterior door have a deadbolt?
• Does the lock on each window work?
• Have you added pins or clips to your windows for additional security?
• Do you have dowels or broom sticks in the track of windows and sliding glass doors?
• Do you have security company labels or signs displayed prominently?
• Do you have an alarm system? Is the system monitored?
• Do you have a dog that barks when strangers approach the home?
• Are emergency numbers posted near the telephones?

Fire

• Do you have smoke detectors near all sleeping areas?
• Do you check the batteries monthly and change them annually?
• Do you have two carbon monoxide detectors?
• Do you have an escape ladder for upper floors?
• Do you have fire extinguishers near exits and in the kitchen?
• Do you have an emergency escape plan and is the family familiar with it?
• Are any outlets or switches warm to the touch?
• Are kitchen ventilation systems working properly?
• Is the dryer ventilated to the outside and is the exhaust free of lint?
• Is the furnace cleaned and serviced yearly?
• Is the space around the hot water heater clear of combustible materials?

Falls

• Are all electrical and phone cords out of the flow of traffic?
• Are rugs and runners slip resistant?
• Is your step-stool sturdy and in good condition?
• Are stairs clear of objects that could cause a fall?
• Are all entrance ways, exits, halls and walks well lighted?
• Do bath tubs and showers have non-skid strips or suction mats in them?

Other

• Do you keep drugs and medicines out of reach and sight of small children?
• Are interior doors designed so small children cannot lock themselves in rooms?
• Are pool and play areas fenced to keep small children in and uninvited guests out?
• Are firearms kept out of reach and sight of children?
• Is a well-stocked first aid kit available for emergencies?
• Is there one member of your family trained in first aid, CPR and the Heimlich maneuver?