There are many details that go into a home insurance policy. All the details make it hard to figure out what you need when shopping for the right policy to keep your home financially secure.

Future policyholders should be aware of the following four characteristics of a good insurance policy:

1. It comes with appropriate coverage limits- Your coverage limits on your home insurance policy should be neither too low NOR too high. If your coverage limit is much higher than your home is worth, you’ll probably be paying out too much in premiums. 
2. It comes along with outstanding customer service- Good customer service will prove very important when it comes time to file a claim. You can find out how good your potential provider’s customer service is by doing some research online. Look for reviews of the insurance provider to see what past and current customers think of the company and the customer service it offers. Also, call the company and ask questions over the phone to see how the representatives communicate with clients. 
3. It includes a guaranteed replacement cost provision- A guaranteed replacement cost provision is a provision that makes it so that you will be able to rebuild your home regardless of how much it costs. Such a provision will mean that the insurance provider will pay to have your home rebuilt even if the cost exceeds your coverage limits. 
4. It includes the option to sign up for an inflation provision- An inflation provision will adjust your coverage on an annual basis depending on inflation or changes in construction costs in your area. 

Are you ready to shop for the right insurance policy that includes these important characteristics? Contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial to discuss your options. 

If you look in your closet and you hate the way it looks because it is messy and there is no organization system, then you need to get in there and clean it up. However, tackling a project that large can take some time. There are several great ways you can make a big difference in a little bit of time though. Use our tips to organize your closet and contact us at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial for all of your insurance needs.

• If you have a small closet, you can create some extra space by removing the door. While it may not sound like much, it can provide a few extra inches to your closet and that can make a world of difference. Be sure to put up a curtain, though, so that the contents of your closet are hidden. 
• If you have too many clothes in your closet and you are running out of room, consider using tiered hangers so you can put more than one item on each hanger. You probably only have enough room for so many hangers so think about this the smart way and use hangers for more items of clothing. 
• If you still do not have enough room for clothes, you may want to consider getting a second closet rod if you have the room for it in the closet. 
• Use an over the door shoe rack for all of your shoes in the closet. If you opted to keep your closet door, make use of it by putting an over the door shoe rack on it and storing all of your shoes there.
• Use shelf dividers to store like items. You can create small cubby holes using these and they are great for storing items like sweaters. 

No matter what your current closet space situation entails, chances are you wish you had more. Outside of building onto your current property, the only other way of increasing the amount of storage space inside of your closet is to take advantage of a few of these individual hacks. At Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, we want to make sure you enjoy your Laurel, MD home, no matter the property or the size. 

Pegboard

Do you remember those old pegboards you used in elementary school? Well, these can work wonders along the side wall of your closet. Pop in hooks for handbags, belts and ties, hang jewelry or do really anything else with the space. It is cheap, yet an effective way to increase the amount of hanging space available in your closet. 

Multi-Purpose Hanger

These hangers have one hook for the closet rack, but multiple hooks are available underneath. This way, you can thread your scarfs, or t-shirts through the open hooks. It keeps everything wrinkle free, yet allows you to store a dozen different t-shirts on the hook where it might take a dozen hangers to do so instead. 

Secondary Rack

There is likely a higher rack for hanging your shirts and jackets. However, this only takes up half of the closet, when you have pants and other items that need to hang up as well. Install a second sliding rack underneath and you can hang your pants, shorts and anything else here rather easily. This way, you instantly double the amount of hanging space in your closet, all without adding any additional closet space. 

Use the Door

The back of the door should be used. Remember to take advantage of a door rack for your shoes to keep everything propped up. 

Home cleanliness is something that people consider to be so important for their day to day life. In order to save money on the cleaning supplies why can’t you consider the following cleaning tips?

Krud Kutter

This product can be used in several areas. You can use Krud Kutter for laundry, washing windows, removing soap scum, cleaning metal, leather, wood, carpets, fabric and counter tops.

Vinegar

Vinegar is used to sterilize everything in the home. This is after using the Krud Kutter in cleaning the areas. This ranges from showers, bath tubs, kitchen and kitchen appliances, hardware and porcelain. Vinegar can also be used during those cold winters. All you need to do is put the vinegar in a spray bottle and spray all over the house including the carpet, drapes and any fabric furniture and the musty smell will disappear.

Old English Lemon Oil

You can use the Old English lemon oil to polish wooden furniture and also stainless steel appliances. This will also include the refrigerator. The multiple uses of this product tremendously cuts costs and leaves your home sparkling clean.

A home investment is a dream for many and as such one of the most valuable assets that one can own. To protect such investments one needs to purchase an equal protection of the asset through insurance. When buying home insurance one should consider such things as damage caused by weather or other natural disasters, theft or any other unforeseen conditions. If you own or intend to own a home in Laurel, Bowie, Silver Spring, Annapolis, Columbia or Baltimore, Maryland we highly recommend that you understand the insurance coverage options available for you. As you endeavor to keep your home clean, please review your home insurance with Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial to make sure that you have the coverage that you need.

There are so many things in our world that can recycled. All it takes is looking around to see what can be recycled instead of being thrown out. Making a small difference in this area can make a huge difference in the world. Use these recycling tips to see what all you can recycle at home and start making a difference in our world today. Contact us at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial to examine your current homeowners insurance policy or start a new one. 

• Plastic Water Bottles. If you drink a lot of water this way, do everything you can to recycle them. You can even take it one step further and start using a water filter and reuseable water bottles to reduce your impact overall.
• Plastic Bags. Unless you use reuseable bags every time you go to the grocery store, you likely have a lot of extra plastic bags hanging around your home. Instead of just throwing them away, recycle them. You can use them as small trash bags for smaller trash cans in your home or take all of the plastic bags to a recycling center. Many grocery stores today even have an area where you can recycle them.
• Paper. One of the biggest things you can do is recycle paper and you have more of it in your home than you think. All of your junk mail can be recycled. Also, you can donate shredded paper as well when you decide that you want to get rid of old documents. You can also recycle books when you are done with them instead of throwing them away. You can donate them to a local thrift store or other place in your community if you do not want to recycle them. 

The need to buy home insurance brings to mind disaster and tragedy in many people’s mind. However the need for home insurance is often not so dramatic, in fact having it at the right time can prevent a small incident from turning into a disaster in the long run. 

Putting off buying home insurance because you are betting on the chance of a large disaster not occurring in your area is unwise. Even if a huge disaster does not occur, the unexpected can happen anywhere and home insurance is great to have when you need it while providing priceless peace of mind meanwhile.  In Laurel, MD and the surrounding areas, if a home is damaged structurally it may not seem like a disaster at the time but if the damage is not repaired soon enough and perfectly, then after a season of rain and freezing, you may find yourself with more extensive structural damage. This is often caused by the water seeping into small imperfections and other damage such as mold that can make a home inhabitable. Even if the damage does not seem extensive at first, putting off repairs due to lack of insurance or attempting to fix the problem without an expert can lead to higher costs in the long run than you might expect. 

Everyone wishes they had home insurance when disaster does strike, no matter the size of the incident Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial can provide coverage that will allow you to sleep well knowing we’ve got you covered. Call us today to find out what options you have for protecting your family.

 

Dredging your way through the mounds of household cleaning duties might make you want to pull your hair out. But there are a few quick tips that can reduce your anxiety over the spring-cleaning madness.

Vacuuming Carpets

More dirt and dust settle in high traffic areas of carpets and rugs. Take more time with these areas. Vacuum around doorways and dining tables where trails of dirt may surface. Only lightly vacuum the rest of the carpet.

Cleaning Outside Windows

Attach a multi-surface window cleaner to your garden hose. First, switch the hose nozzle to “rinse” and spray the windows. Then, change it to “clean” and spray the cleaning fluid. Next, rinse the windows again with clean water. Later, dry them with a microfiber or soft terry cloth to avoid streaks.

Use Steam to Clean

Curtains are a pain to clean. You have to either vacuum or throw them in the washer. To make it easier, use a steamer. You won’t even have to take them down from the windows. A steam cleaner will sanitize, clean, and remove any wrinkles.

Refresh Your Mattress with Baking Soda

While washing your sheets, sprinkle a light coating of baking soda over the mattress. This will lift dirt and deodorize it. Leave the soda on when you remake the bed. Vacuum it up the next time you wash your sheets.

Sofa and Couch Cleaning

Remove the cushions from your sofas and couches and set them aside. Use a hand vacuum or a vacuum attachment to remove crumbs and other debris that gather underneath the cushions. Take a lint roller and run it over all of the cushions to get rid of dust and dirt.

Contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial to learn more quick and easy tips for spring cleaning. You can also stop by the office in Laurel, Maryland to speak with an agent. They can assist you with home, auto, commercial, and other types of insurance needs.

You work hard to make sure your family is always safe, but have you taken extra precautions around your home in case of an unexpected incident? Here are four tips for protecting your Maryland home against disaster.

Tip #1: Make Sure You Have a Plan

One of the easiest ways to ensure your home is protected against and unexpected disaster is by simply having a plan. Discuss with your family the easiest ways to escape during a fire and what to do if you are separated during a natural disaster. Keep a list of emergency contacts handy for use in an extreme circumstance. By simply having the conversation, you can help ensure everyone stays safe in the event of a crisis.

Tip #2: Have Emergency Lighting in Every Room

In case of an emergency, you will also want to have emergency lighting options in every room. This can include flashlights, candles, matches, or whatever else you need to illuminate the space in the event of an incident. If you are utilizing anything that takes batteries, make sure you also have extras stored alongside. Keeping these items spread out is crucial, as it prevents you from having to dig for them in a closet or drawer in the event of a crisis scenario.

Tip #3: Purchase a Fire Extinguisher

Having a fire extinguisher on hand is another way to keep your home and family safe. While most emergency service teams will respond in only a few minutes, that crucial time period between being able to put out the flames yourself or incurring more damage can be important.

Tip #4: Have the Right Level of Insurance Coverage

Another way to protect your home and family is by having the right level of property insurance coverage. At Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, we work with our clients to review their current homeowner’s insurance coverage and determine whether or not it meets their financial needs and lifestyle. Please contact us today for further information.

House sitting for a friend is a great way to escape your house and make a little extra money for your trouble. Although it sounds like a sweet deal, there are many things you should be concerned with while you house sit, primarily your safety.

At Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, your safety is top-priority. The next time you house sit, keep the following tips in mind.

Know where your friends keep their emergency kits. Anything can happen to you while you are house sitting so it’s important that you are prepared for the worst. You should locate an emergency kit, and have it readily available, just in case you may need it during your stay.

Locate each fire extinguisher in advance. Fires are a major threat to you and to your friend’s home. In order to prevent severe damage from a fire, you have to know where each fire extinguisher is located. You also need to know exactly how to use it.

Arm all security mechanisms. From intrusion alarms to cameras, you should ensure that everything is armed while you are house sitting. If you experience an intrusion, these devices will help you remain safe and alert the appropriate authorities.

Secure backup communication devices. Radios are great to have when you are house sitting. If a weather-related disaster occurs while you are house sitting, radios will help you remain informed.

At Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, we want you to be prepared for the challenges of house sitting. We also want to ensure that you are safe while driving to and from your friend’s home by providing you with car insurance. You can visit our website to determine the best auto coverage for your vehicles.