Fall isn’t a major change for homeowners in Florida as it is in other states. The temperatures dip a little and the leaves begin to drop, but it doesn’t require a weekend to rake the lawn or insulate the entire house. 

Nonetheless, there are still some important preparations for residents of Pembroke Pines, FL and beyond to take as we get further into fall. Colder temperatures can take their toll on your home, even if Florida, so follow these McCormick Insurance Inc. suggestions to make sure you’re all set for the season.

Get Into Gutters & Up On the Roof

It’s important to inspect the exterior of your home from top-to-bottom several times a year, and fall is the perfect time to do so. Make sure that your gutters are free from debris and that they effectively divert water several feet from the house, in the direction of storm drains. Repair or replace any damage on your roof, such as cracked shingles and loose fixtures, before low temperatures put them to the test.

Flip Your Fans to Reverse

Some ceiling fans can be set to run in the opposite direction. If you have this option, set them to run clockwise so that warm air is circulated back down into the room and makes your home more energy efficient.

Have Heating Systems and Insulation Inspected

Prevention is preferable to cure, so it’s better to confirm that your heating and insulation are in good condition now while it’s still warm. Have an expert take a look if you can’t answer questions yourself. The energy savings alone can make this a worthwhile activity to check off your list.

Check Your Home Insurance Coverage

As much as you take care of your home, it’s crucial to know what your insurance policy covers. Checking for any gaps in your coverage helps you to highlight areas of risk and take steps to fix the problem or expand your coverage.

If you have any questions about homeowners coverage, or if you would like to look at new policy options, call McCormick Insurance Inc. to discuss protecting your Pembroke Pines, FL home.

It’s important for your home to be your own and to meet the needs of your family. So when your family needs change, you can renovate your home to meet those needs. This may include expanding a bathroom, redoing the kitchen, or even adding an entire wing to your home. Renovating can be a more cost-effective option than buying a new home. It also gives you the chance to customize your home and make sure it reflects your family’s personality. When you decide to renovate your home, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Plan ahead

Renovating isn’t something you can just do over a quick three-day weekend. It takes planning and preparation. If the renovations are extensive, you may also need trained and certified vendors to help, including plumbers, electricians, or contractors. Planning your renovations ahead ensures that you will be able to accomplish what you need and want on time and within budget. This includes getting permits and paperwork in order well in advance of beginning the renovations.

Check your home insurance policy

Another preparation for your home renovations should be to check your home insurance policy to make sure your home insurance also reflects the changes to your home. The type of policy you have is dependent on the type of home you have, where it is located, and how well it is maintained. When you make changes to your home, your home insurance policy may need to be changed to reflect those changes so that your home is properly protected.

For more information about changing your home insurance after renovations, contact your local McCormick Insurance Inc. agent today.

Your closet is an important part of your home. While many people may not go into the closet, it is something that you go in every day. An organized closet will help you feel less stressed and it is important to take some time to organize it. However, the process of organizing the closet may seem daunting. To help you through the process, we have compiled some helpful tips for closet organization. For all of your insurance needs, please contact us at McCormick Insurance Inc. 

• Use an over the door shoe rack. Your shoes can take up a lot of space, especially if you have a lot of them. There is only so much floor space in your closet so take advantage of other space and utilize an over the door shoe rack. You will be surprised by how much it helps your closet and how much more room you have.
• Use tiered hangers. You can put so much more in your closet when you use tiered hangers. This will allow you to put more than one item of clothing on the hanger. You can also put like clothes together. It makes it easier to store pants together and will provide you with a lot of extra room. Using these hangers come in multiple styles and colors so you can choose the right ones for your closet design.
• Install shelves if you have the room. If there are any clothes that you would like to fold instead of hang, but don’t have room in a dresser, you can use any shelves that you install. You can put them where you have room and you can use them to store all kinds of extra things in your closet. You can also separate the shelves to create separate areas for different items, like scarves or purses. 

The folks at McCormick Insurance Inc. want to remind you that spring is a great time to perform annual home maintenance to reduce the chance of damage to the home.

Roof and Gutters
During winter, gutters and drains fill with fallen leaves, which can block the flow of water when it rains. Water held on the roof can leak into the home and cause mold to form on the interior surfaces. Mold spores that pass through the home ventilation or air conditioning system are bad for the occupant’s health.

Make sure the downspouts release water at least three feet away from the home’s foundation. Water that flows directly on to the foundation can cause it to weaken or crack. In addition to clearing out the gutters and making sure the downspouts are not blocked, it is a good idea to check the attic for any sign of water damage or mold growth.

Replace any damaged or missing shingles on the roof. Be careful using the ladder, because falls are one of the most common accidents. If the roof repair job is too dangerous, it is best to hire a roofing contractor to do the work who has the correct safety equipment.

HVAC System
It is best to perform the annual maintenance of the HVAC system before the weather gets too hot. Many HVAC maintenance companies offer annual specials during springtime when they are not as busy as they become during summer. Spring is a good time to clean out the air ducts and change the air filter. Clean any fallen debris that blocks the air vents of the HVAC unit. Replace any worn out parts to make the system run well.

Check for air leaks around windows and doors. Use weather stripping to block the air from leaking. This helps save money on energy bills.

Insurance
Spring is a good time to check insurance to make sure you have adequate coverage. Contact the agents at McCormick Insurance Inc. for all your insurance needs.

While Pembroke Pines, FL may not be the most disaster prone area in the nation, there are still a number of potential scenarios you should be prepared for. For example, Florida is well-known for its fair share of hurricanes. With the unpredictable nature of the weather, it is a good idea to take steps now to reduce your overall risk and protect your home, while keeping your family safe.

Identify specific risks

Knowing what the most common hazards are for the area, especially if you are new to the area, will help you focus on what you need to do to be prepared. Be sure to take action against the event that will have the highest likelihood of occurring. For Florida, you will likely need to purchase some type of flood insurance, since these are typically not covered in traditional home insurance policies.

Know and address your home vulnerabilities

In many cases, homeowners feel helpless when destructive weather strikes. The good news is, you can perform a few home improvement strategies to lower your risk of damage. For example, to protect your home from the damages of hurricanes, install storm shutters, built a new safe room or install hurricane straps that will help to keep your roof securely in place when high winds blow.

Create a personal emergency kit

You should not wait until the last minute (when everyone else is scrambling around) to gather emergency supplies. Include the following items in your emergency kit: water, food, battery powered radio, flashlight, first aid kit and tarps for covering any potential damage to the roof or windows.

Being prepared for a storm or other disaster is not only smart, it will give you peace of mind. If needed, you can also find home insurance by contacting McCormick Insurance Inc. today.

 

 

 

When you live in Pembroke Pines, Florida, it’s important to have a homeowner’s insurance policy. Liability coverage is common within a policy – and you want to make sure it is coverage you have in place to cover various incidents.

Whether it’s a dog bite, a slip and fall, or something else, there are three good reasons for the coverage.

Medical Bills

Medical bills may be covered if a visitor to your home is injured. You don’t want to be the one to pay for these out of pocket, so home liability coverage will likely take care of the expenses on your part. If they have health insurance, you could be held liable – and this is a great way to save the money from being your financial responsibility.

Legal Costs

There could be legal costs associated with someone getting hurt on your property. If there’s an accident in your home, someone could sue you. This is going to require a lawyer. Whether you are found responsible for the damages or not, the home liability coverage is likely going to take care of your legal costs so you don’t go broke in the process.

Wages

If someone is injured sufficiently enough, they may be out of work. These lost wages could become your problem. The good thing about liability coverage is that it may prevent you from paying these wages.

You never know when someone could be injured and to what extent. When you have the right limits on your liability coverage, it can cover pain and suffering, medical bills, legal costs, wages, and more.

Contact us at McCormick Insurance Inc. today to speak to an agent who can help you find the right home insurance policy for you. Our agents look forward to finding comprehensive policies at affordable rates in Florida.

 

 

Do you have tons of items you are considering getting rid of, but aren’t sure where to start? Have a yard sale! Here are four perks of hosting a garage sale.

#1: Get Rid of Clutter

Let’s talk about the obvious first. Having a garage sale helps you eliminate the clutter that’s been piling up in your home. Clothes that no longer fit, toys that your children no longer play with, or home decorations that no longer suit your taste are all great candidates for putting up for sale. Gather items by going from room to room with a box and determining what you want to get rid of. Another option is to keep a few boxes handy that you add items to throughout the year.

#2: Earn Extra Cash

Another benefit of hosting a yard sale is that you can earn extra cash. Set a goal ahead of time and know what it will take to reach that goal. Some examples are a special outing for the family, a vacation, or even the supplies needed to tackle a home improvement project. Many parents even sell their children’s old clothing and toys to help redecorate their bedrooms.

#3: Teach Your Kids About Business

One more perk of hosting a yard sale is that it teaches your children about business. Have them help you tag items, set prices, and collect money. Garage sales are also a great time to setup a lemonade stand or other snack venture.

#4: Meet Your Neighbors

Finally, hosting a garage sale means you get to meet your neighbors. Perhaps a new family has moved in that has a similar taste in home goods or that you simply haven’t had a chance to chat with yet. By having a sale, you get to meet and connect with those who live nearby.

One important thing to consider before you host a garage sale is whether or not you have adequate home insurance coverage. Anytime you have visitors in your home or on your property, you run the risk of a liability claim due to injury or a fall. In addition, by having your garage door open, you also increase the chances of a possible theft. For more information or a policy review, please contact our team at McCormick Insurance Inc.