Melting snow can refreeze at the edge of a roof creating an “ice dam” that prevents water from draining off the roof and causes it to pool and back up under the roofing material and into the attic or along exterior walls. It can cause significant water damage to a home. Consider these tips for prevention.

Halloween can be scary but having the right insurance coverage can take some of the fright out of the night. Insurance policies can provide financial protection for a host of disasters whether they occur on Halloween or any other day.

Anyone hosting a Halloween party should take steps to limit their liquor liability and make sure they have the proper insurance. Social host liability laws vary widely from state to state. Some states do not impose any liability on social hosts. Others limit liability to injuries that occur on the host’s premises. Some extend the host’s liability if the person who was provided the alcohol is killed or injured, or kills or injures another person. Many states have laws that pertain specifically to furnishing alcohol to minors. 

What your insurance does—and does not—cover. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, policyholders may have questions about how insurance works following a natural disaster. Here are some answers to many of these common questions.

Water damage can occur from a variety of sources. Torrential rains, flooding as well as mechanical breakdowns can all lead to these kinds of losses. Here are a few tips to help prevent and ensure you're protected for these events.

The homeowners policy liability section covers only "bodily injury" and "property damage." Thus, any type of non-bodily injury such as personal injury is excluded without the attachment of a personal injury endorsement. 

Whether building a new home, remodeling an existing home or even repairing a home that has been damaged, a lightning protection system can be a worthwhile investment. The growing market for smart home technology makes installing a lightning protection system even more important.  Lightning’s harmful surges can damage these internal building systems, which can be quite expensive to restore.

June 1 marks the beginning of Atlantic hurricane season, which ends on November 30.  Take steps to prepare and have an action plan in case you need to evacuate and to ensure that you have sufficient supplies for a few days. Also review your insurance coverage to ensure that it is adequate in the event of a loss.

Dog bites (and other dog-related injuries) accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2015, costing in excess of $570 million, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

Fire is the largest single cause of property loss in the United States. This deadly peril kills several thousand Americans each year and causes over 15,000 injuries. Take these steps to reduce your risk of residential fires.