Name: ASZ International, Inc.
Address: 200 Summit Lake Drive, Suite 220, Valhalla, NY, 10595
Telephone: 800-694-0279

Creating Your Ideal Home: A Complete Guide to Renovations, DIY Projects, Home Styles, and Property Locations.

Posted on October 12, 2023October 12, 2023 by Jeremy Scott

Certainly, let’s infuse the content with an undertone of insurance, emphasizing how insurance plays a role in various aspects of home ownership:

Your home is more than just a structure; it’s a reflection of your lifestyle, your personality, and your dreams. Whether you’re considering a major renovation, tackling a DIY project, exploring different architectural styles, or searching for the perfect location, this guide is your comprehensive resource for turning your house into a home, all while ensuring it’s adequately protected by insurance.

Home renovations are about creating the perfect environment for your family, and part of that involves safeguarding your investment. As you upgrade your kitchen or transform your bathroom into a spa-like oasis, remember that your homeowner’s insurance policy should be adjusted to reflect these improvements. These changes not only enhance your quality of life but also increase the value of your home, and insurance should evolve to match that value.

When embarking on do-it-yourself projects, consider the potential risks involved, especially when you’re dealing with repairs and modifications. Home insurance covers certain accidents and incidents, but it’s crucial to understand your policy and its limitations. Take appropriate precautions and ensure that your insurance policy adequately protects you from unexpected mishaps.

The architectural style of your home is not only an expression of your taste but also a factor that can impact your insurance rates. Different architectural styles can have varying levels of vulnerability to certain risks, such as damage from natural disasters or theft. Discuss these factors with your insurance provider to ensure you have the right coverage in place.

Location matters, and so does the insurance that comes with it. Urban living may mean higher premiums due to increased risks like theft or accidents, whereas rural or coastal areas may have different insurance considerations. Understanding how your location influences insurance costs and coverage is essential as you choose the perfect spot for your home.

In conclusion, as you embark on the journey of turning your house into a home, remember that insurance is an integral part of the process. It’s there to protect your investment, ensuring that the improvements you make, the DIY projects you undertake, and the unique style you choose are safeguarded. Making informed decisions about your insurance needs is just as crucial as the design and location choices you make for your home.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this communication is not intended to constitute legal advice and should not be construed as such. All information, content, and materials available in this communication are for general informational purposes only. Listeners, viewers, readers, users, browsers, or recipients of this communication are advised to consult with their attorney to obtain advice regarding any specific legal matter.

No listener, viewer, reader, user, browser, or recipient of this communication should make decisions or take actions solely based on the information contained herein without first seeking legal advice from qualified legal counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. It is important to note that individual circumstances can vary, and only your personal attorney can provide guidance on whether the information provided here is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation.

The views expressed in this communication are solely those of the individual creators in their individual capacities and do not represent the opinions of ASZ International, Inc. doing business as ASZ Associates. Any actions taken or refrained from, based on the contents of this communication, are undertaken at your own risk, and all liability with respect to such actions or inactions is hereby expressly disclaimed.

The content in this communication is provided “as is,” and no representations are made regarding its accuracy, completeness, or reliability. It is important to independently verify any information presented here and to consult legal professionals for advice tailored to your specific circumstances.

What Exactly Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Posted on September 29, 2023September 29, 2023 by admin

If you’re currently paying a home mortgage, then you are aware of the importance of homeowners insurance. Even though your mortgage company requires homeowner’s insurance, you may not know what this type of insurance covers. Here is an overview of what homeowners insurance covers.

Damage to Your Home

There are different levels of homeowners insurance, but even the most basic plan covers damage to your home. This damage could be a result of fire, vandalism, or any number of other possibilities. Flooding is typically not covered under basic homeowners insurance plans, but adding it to your base plan is possible. Homeowners’ insurance typically doesn’t cover damage caused by lack of maintenance, and the thorough investigation that will be provided after a claim is filed will reveal whether this is an issue.

Liability Coverage for Injuries on Your Property

Most homeowners insurance plans will also provide liability coverage if someone outside your home is injured on your property. Perhaps a neighbor is bitten by your dog while on your property, or your newspaper delivery person slips on ice and breaks an arm because your snow and ice weren’t properly cleared away. In either of these scenarios, as well as others, your insurance policy will cover their medical costs and more.

When Additional Insurance is Necessary

Here are some things that may require you to purchase insurance in addition to a standard plan because, like flooding, these aren’t usually covered:

Expensive jewelry
Valuable artwork
Identity theft
Damage caused by an earthquake

Now that you know what homeowners insurance covers, you might be interested in switching to a new insurance company. If your home is in the Westchester, NY area, ASZ International Inc. can provide a quote, as we offer homeowners insurance and other types of insurance. Hopefully, the price we quote you will be affordable, and you will decide to try us.

The Hardening of the Personal Insurance Market

Posted on April 21, 2023May 8, 2023 by Marc Zettl

Umbrella Insurance word cloud collage, business concept background

How the Economy Affects Insurance Rates

Rising costs are a concern for both insurance companies and consumers. Inflation, higher interest rates, increased costs, and weather and climate events all affect the cost of insurance coverage.

Here’s a look at some of the factors that may be influencing what you pay.

Auto

Supply chain shortages have made it difficult to repair vehicles efficiently and at a low cost. (1)
Nearly 80% of collision repair shops are scheduling appointments 2 weeks or more into the future. (2)
Driven by rising prices, the amount insurers paid to cover claims increased by $30 billion in 2021. (3)

Costs have increased:

19.5% for motor vehicle repairs (4)
9.9% for motor vehicle parts and equipment (4)

Home

Prices for materials continue to rise:

12.5% Floor coverings (4)
18% Drywall (5)
14.8% Concrete products (4)

There are more frequent and severe weather and climate events, including wildfires and hurricanes. (6) The annual cost of natural catastrophes around the world is estimated at $123 billion. (7) There has also been a surge in nonweather-related water damage, such as plumbing leaks.

Each year:

There’s approximately $8.24 billion in these types of property losses. (8)
1 in 60 insured homes has a claim caused by water damage or freezing. (9)

As we all navigate a changing economy, there are plenty of ways to save. Talk with your agent today to review your products and discounts.

References

[1] “Repair Costs & Labor Issues Affecting Insurers in 2023,” agencyheight.com/car-repair-costs (Jan. 9, 2023).

[2] “Crash Course 2022 Mid-Year Update: Gearing Up for What’s Ahead,” cccis.com/news-and-insights/insights/crash-course-2022-mid-year-updategearing-up-for-whats-ahead/ (May 31, 2022).

[3] “Countering inflation: How US P&C insurers can build resilience,” mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/countering-inflation-how-us-pand-

c-insurers-can-build-resilience (Aug. 25, 2022).

[4] Bureau of Labor Statistics/Nationwide Economics (December 2022).

[5] “CoreLogic Quarterly Construction Insights Q4 2022,” corelogic.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/QCI-Q4-22.pdf (accessed Jan. 26, 2023).

[6] “Global warming frequently asked questions,” climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/global-warming-frequently-asked-questions (Oct. 29, 2020).

[7] “Global Average Annual Insured Losses from Extreme Events in Excess of $120 Billion, New Report from Verisk Finds,” verisk.com/newsroom/globalaverage-annual-insured-losses-from-extreme-events-in-excess-of-$120-billion-new-report-finds/ (Sept. 28, 2022).

[8] “WaterRisk: The first and only predictor of non-weather water claims,” locationinc.com/water-risk-data (accessed Jan. 26, 2023).

[9] “Facts + Statistics: Homeowners and renters insurance,” iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insurance (accessed Feb. 10, 2023).

How to Prepare for a Home Flooding

Posted on February 28, 2023February 28, 2023 by admin

Do you live in an area that’s prone to flooding? Then your home may be at risk of property damages, financial losses, and other related issues. Water damage becomes expensive, costing homeowners thousands of dollars in repair costs. Sometimes, the best solution is to create a plan that prepares against a flood. At ASZ International Inc., our team is discussing the different options that a homeowner has in the event of flooding – including a comprehensive insurance package.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

The emergency kit is an immediate first aid kit that helps the homeowner during a flood. The kit should include emergency contacts, canned food, batteries, warmers, personal identification, or an insurance certificate. For your emergency kit, come up with a list of supplies needed when an area of the house is compromised in this way.

Minimize the Potential Losses

You can renovate your home to prevent significant losses from happening. This process often involves waterproofing your basement, redesigning doors and windows, or clearing the house gutters. Some people even opt to design the foundation to prevent cracks from forming.

Find an Insurance Plan that Covers Disaster Relief

Insurance will provide financial protection against a flood. While looking for home insurance, you should search for policies that pay for disaster relief, possession loss, or water damage to a residence.

Buying Flood Insurance in Westchester, NY

ASZ International Inc is an agency that provides flood insurance. Our plans will pay for property damages and financial losses related to the flooding. If you’re interested in hearing more, contact our agency at 800-694-0279. We’d be happy to schedule an appointment with one of our agents.

Tips for reducing the hazards in your home

Posted on September 29, 2022September 29, 2022 by admin

Home may be where the heart is, but it is also where many injuries happen. Many of them are avoidable if the hazards in your home are reduced. We believe in inspiring one American dream at a time at ASZ International Inc. in Westchester, NY. No matter the size of your dream. We are an independent agency, and service to our customers is what we specialize in.

Remove clutter

Falling is one of the most dangerous hazards in your home. Clutter makes falling a more significant risk than it needs to be. Try to keep clutter off of stairs and in hallways leading to stairs. Falls are the second leading cause of death in the home, resulting in 28,100 people losing their lives in 2020.

Improve lighting

To reduce the danger of hazards in your home, you need to be able to see them. It is dangerous to be stumbling around in a dark house.

Reduce fire risk

Fire is a hazard everyone wants to avoid. You should have your chimney cleaned and make sure that your smoke detector is working and has backup batteries. A working carbon monoxide detector is also vital to your safety and your family if you have a furnace.

Keep poison out of reach.

Poison is the number one killer in the home. Almost 70,000 people died from poisoning in 2020. There are things you can do in your home to avoid this hazard. Never leave cleaning supplies in an unlocked cabinet. Make sure they are locked away. Medicine should not be left where children and teens can get their hands on them. Any poisons you use to keep pets, weeds, or anything else must be kept in a very safe place.

Contact ASZ International Inc. in Westchester, NY to get the personalized customer service you deserve.

What is inflation and how does it affect the insurance industry and your premiums?

Posted on July 29, 2022September 19, 2022 by Marc Zettl

Inflation is a term that is thrown around a lot in the news, but what does it actually mean? In short, inflation is when prices for goods and services increase. In the world of insurance, this can have a big impact on premiums. In this blog post, we will discuss how inflation affects premiums and why it’s important to keep track of changes in the rate of inflation.

There are a few different ways to measure inflation, but the most common is the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI measures changes in the prices of a basket of goods and services that are commonly consumed by households. In the United States, the CPI is released on a monthly basis by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

When the CPI goes up, it means that prices are rising and the purchasing power of your dollar is decreasing. In other words, it takes more money to buy the same amount of goods or services. Inflation can have a major impact on your insurance premiums because insurance companies use something called the “cost of living adjustment” (COLA) to account for changes in the CPI.

The COLA is a percentage increase or decrease that is applied to your insurance premiums to keep them in line with the rising cost of living. For example, if the CPI goes up by two percent, your insurance company may raise your premiums by two percent as well. Inflation can also affect the insurance industry in other ways. Another example would be, that if the cost of medical care goes up, it would be likely that you would see an increase in your health insurance premiums. In addition, inflation can erode the value of investments that insurance companies hold, which can impact their financial stability and ability to pay claims.

While there are a number of factors that can affect your insurance premiums, inflation is one of the most important to keep in mind. While this may seem like a disadvantage for consumers, it’s important to remember that insurance is designed to protect you from financial loss in the event of an unforeseen circumstance. In other words, while your premiums may go up in response to inflation, so will the payouts you receive if you need to make a claim. In the end, this ensures that insurance remains an effective way to protect yourself and your family from financial hardship.

If you have any questions about how inflation affects your insurance premiums, or if you would like to learn more about how insurance works, we encourage you to speak with one of our experienced agents. We would be happy to help! In the meantime, please check out our blog for more informative articles like this one.

Thank you for reading!!!

Catastrophic Events

Posted on July 13, 2022September 19, 2022 by Marc Zettl

We are officially in hurricane season, and along with hurricanes also come disasters like flooding, severe storms, and even wildfires. Informing our clients on how to be prepared for events like this, through purchasing the right coverage, is something we strive to do. Though it may not seem like something that could happen to you and your home, you never know when a storm may blow through. According to Asta (2022), in 2021 there were 18 weather and climate disasters in which damages were around $1 billion or more.

Something important that all homeowners should know is that your homeowner’s policy might cover many natural disasters such as hail, windstorms, and lightning, but what it likely does not cover is floods, earthquakes, and/or tsunamis (Asta, 2022). Flood insurance is coverage we always suggest to our customers, as we feel it is very beneficial. We’re also able to provide standalone wind coverage. For our clients who live in coastal areas, this policy provides coverage for damage from hail and wind, regardless of whether the damage is from a named storm or an everyday storm (Orchid).

Now, although flood and wind coverage is something all homeowners should look into purchasing, it’s also an important thing for business owners to consider as well. Catastrophic events don’t just affect homes, they destroy anything in their path. As a business owner, you want to make sure you plan in advance by making educated choices on what insurance coverage you really need (Asta, 2022).

One final way you can help protect your home, business, family, and employees from catastrophic events is to have a plan of action. If a disaster does strike, your family members and employees should know the procedure. For example, where to take shelter in the event of a tornado, where the fire extinguisher and emergency exits are located, or where to meet if everyone must evacuate the premises (Asta, 2022).

If you don’t already have flood or wind coverage, give us a call today so we can get you a fast and easy quote!

References:
Asta, Donna (March 1, 2022) Planning for the Future with Catastrophic Insurance. Big I Independent Agent. https://www.iamagazine.com/magazine/issues/2022/march/planning-for-the-future-with-catastrophic-insurance
Orchid. www.orchidinsurance.com. Accessed July 5, 2022.

Fraud in Florida

Posted on July 8, 2022September 19, 2022 by Marc Zettl

The state of Florida is definitely known for many things, and one of those things is bad storms! High winds, hard rain, hail, and more are many of the frequent natural disasters that hit Florida. Homeowners and business owners are constantly looking for contractors to help them when in need of damage repaired. But one thing Floridians need to be aware of is the scammers!

According to Schuppe (2002), there are local contractors knocking on doors offering to inspect homeowners’ roofs for storm damage. “They say they can help get a roof replacement covered by insurance, and they persuade the homeowners to sign away their rights to file the claims themselves. The contractors then file fraudulent damage claims, and when the insurance companies balk, the contractors sue” (para. 7).

As these scammers continue to prey on Floridians, increased insurance rates continue to skyrocket as the carriers are being heavily impacted by this. This is one of the leading factors for why carriers are fleeing the state of Florida. “Those (carriers) that remain have sought rate increases ranging from 15 percent to 96 percent and have become more selective about who they will cover” (para. 15).

Something needs to be done to address this urgent matter. In the meantime, Florida residents, please keep this scam in mind!

Reference:

Schuppe, Jon. (2022, May 21). Florida lawmakers Scramble to Fix a Property Insurance Crisis Before Hurricane Season. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/roofing-scams-florida-property-insurance-hurricane-rcna29649

Florida Roofing Laws – What to Know

Posted on July 7, 2022September 19, 2022 by Marc Zettl

While many carriers are ceasing to write at least part of their book of business in Florida, others are taking further steps to help reduce their risk of exposures. Some insurance carriers are now avoiding writing homes or commercial properties with older roofs (Rabb, 2022).

If you’re a homeowner or business owner in Florida, this might be something for you to consider. If you haven’t had any updates to your roof or other areas in your home, like electrical, plumbing, etc., within the last 15-plus years, this might be a red flag for an insurance carrier.

According to Deventer (2022), “home insurance companies will be prohibited from denying policies solely due to the age of a home’s roof, but only if the roof is fewer than 15 years old and has five years of life left. Homes with older roofs may still be denied coverage” (para. 4).

The age of your roof impacting your insurance is largely due to the hurricanes and large storms that Florida faces (Carey, 2021). Annual inspections, maintenance, and necessary repairs are key to lessening the chance of a storm causing damage to your roof, while also giving you the green light when it comes to getting and maintaining a homeowner or commercial insurance policy in Florida.

Roof age has played a big factor in whether underwriters will accept a home. This is something we are constantly talking about with our insureds. So, before you start looking for a new homeowner or commercial insurance policy, do yourself a favor and find out when you last had your roof repaired or replaced. This will be a number one question your agent will ask you.

References:

Carey, Diane M. (2021, September 2). New Florida Roofing laws Affect Insurance. Hometown News. https://www.hometownnewsvolusia.com/news/new-florida-roofing-laws-affect-insurance/article_d6cae4ca-fec2-11eb-9387-1b8db5624822.html

Deventer, Cate. (2022, June 3). Will Florida’s Home Insurance Reform Bill be Enough to Review a Collapsing Market? Bankrate. https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/new-2022-florida-property-insurance-reform/

Rabb, William. (2022, July 1). Gone with the Flo: Progressive Stops Writing DP-3 Policies in Florida. Insurance Journal. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2022/07/01/674326.htm

Florida Homeowners Insurance

Posted on July 6, 2022September 19, 2022 by Marc Zettl

No matter how you look at it, prices are increasing everywhere, from groceries to gas and even insurance rates too. No matter what state or county you live in, inflation is happening around us all and has become our new reality.

Florida residents know a lot about overpriced insurance premiums as it is, their auto insurance alone is the most expensive out of the 50 states (Deventer, 2021). But when it comes to homeowners’ insurance, Floridians have another thing to think about.

According to Rabb (2022), “The Florida property insurance market is showing more signs of trouble, with one of the state’s largest carriers deciding to stop writing new homeowners’ business in the state – while also asking for a rate increase on some policies” (para1). Unfortunately, it’s not just one insurance carrier who’s revealing they’re going to stop writing new homeowners and dwelling fire policies in the great state of Florida, it’s multiple (Rabb, 2022).

While some companies cease to write policies in Florida, the ones left standing are pushing ahead with rate increases (Rabb, 2022). This is a clear issue for Florida residents who have already been paying a large amount of money for their insurance policies.

So, what are the next steps for Florida? For now, insurance agents are urging lawmakers to make reforms that can help stem losses and reduce litigation, among other changes (Rabb, 2022).

References:

Deventer, Cate. (2021, December 31). Average Cost of Car Insurance in Florida in 2022. Bankrate. https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/average-cost-of-car-insurance-in-florida/

Rabb, William. (2022, February 8). Another Big Insurer Stops Writing Homeowners Policies in Florida. Insurance Journal. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2022/02/08/653123.htm

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Category: Homeowners Insurance