Waukesha County Home

(StatePoint) — For many people, owning a home is the American dream, and the sin- gle biggest financial investment they will ever make. With the stakes so high, in addi- tion to picking out the perfect property, it's critical to have the right insurance. While homeowners may start out with the right amount when they first purchase their home, over time, their policy can become outdated. Why? One big reason is inflation. "Labor and building material costs go up over time, which means that if your home were destroyed by a fire or natural disaster, for example, and you had to rebuild it in today's dollars, it would very likely cost much more," said Bob Buckel, vice presi- dent and product manager, Erie Insurance. "That's why we recommend that all home- owners get 'guaranteed replacement cost' coverage." In addition to making sure your insur- ance keeps up with inflation, experts also recommend homeowners reach out to their insurance agent when: ■ You remodel: 2019 is expected to be a popular year for remodeling, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activ- ity. Whether it's putting on an addition or finishing the basement, be sure the extra square footage and finishes are listed on your policy. Why? If something were to hap- pen (think: fire, water damage, etc.), you'll want your insurance policy to provide enough funds for everything to be repaired or replaced. ■ You make changes to outdoor space: The same is true with any remodeling to your outdoor space. The addition of an in- ground pool or fence can add value to your home. There are also liability concerns associated with certain equipment, such as a swimming pool or trampoline. Unfortu- nately, at least 148 children drowned in swimming pools last summer and many more were injured, according to the Con- sumer Product Safety Commission. You'll want to make sure you're properly covered in the event of an accident. ■ You install a security system: You may qualify for a discount on your insur- ance if you've recently installed a security system. One study by the Electronic Securi- ty Association (ESA) looked at the 10 largest insurance companies and found many offer worthwhile premium dis- counts. ■ You start a home-based business: Whether you have a side hustle or draw a full-time income from a home-based busi- ness, you may not have the right coverage in place. For example, if you're selling LuLaRoe clothing and there's a fire, your merchandise might not be covered since typical policies don't always cover home- based businesses. You'll most likely need an incidental business endorsement. Cov- erage from Erie Insurance could cost about $30 to $70 per year. ■ You acquire valuables: Homeowners insurance covers your belongings, but gen- erally only up to a certain dollar amount per item. So, if you acquire an expensive item, such as an engagement ring, a fur or a valuable artwork, you should talk to your insurance agent about adding special cov- erage. You may also need to provide a receipt or appraisal. HOME MAY 2019 4 K i t c h e n s | B a t h s | D e n s | C a b i n s | O f f i c e s | R e c R o o m s Work With Experienced Design Professionals "We Specialize in Cabinetry" 1005 Richards Road, Hartland | 262.367.9439 www.kitchencreators.com Cabinetry For Every Room, Every Budget! 264305004 We Beat All Big Box Stores and all Competitors | Visit Our Showroom By Appointment NEW SHOWROOM DISPLAYS! WE SPECIALIZE IN NORCRAFT'S MID CONTINENT CABINETRY Your home is your castle Here's how to protect it GutesaMilos / stock.Adobe.com Your home, often your most valuable investment, deserves protection. Every time you make a change, from remodeling to having a home-based business, your insurance needs to keep up. Healthier eating can start with a back- yard garden. A good place to start with a garden is a raised bed. Benefits of a raised garden ■ It's an excellent way to grow plants, especially if you are new to gardening. ■ Raises your plants to a more comfort- able height, making it easier to plant, inspect and care for. ■ Allows you to better control nutrition of the soil by creating a barrier between the bed and natural soil. ■ You can plant earlier in the spring because the sun warms the bed faster than the ground. ■ By using cloth or netting, it s easy to control pests, temperature and moisture. ■ Provides drainage, protecting your plants from overwatering. ■ Fairly simple to build and moveable. Building options Raised garden beds can be made from sev- eral different materials including lumber, concrete block, basins or bathtubs. Build- ing with wood is the most common as it's fast and easy. Concrete edgers are another material that is both easy to work with and inexpensive. Consider raised beds for the garden

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