The “replacement cost” gap that leaves homeowners short after a loss—how to check your policy
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The “replacement cost” gap that leaves homeowners short after a loss—how to check your policy

When a fire, storm, or burst pipe takes out your house, the number that matters most is not what your home would sell for, but what it costs to rebuild it from the ground up. The gap between those two figures is where many homeowners discover, too late, that their “replacement cost” coverage does not…

Take these 10 photos of your house now—so an insurance claim is easier later
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Take these 10 photos of your house now—so an insurance claim is easier later

When a storm, fire, or break-in hits, the last thing you want is a fight over what your home and belongings were really worth. A few minutes with your phone camera today can spare you weeks of back-and-forth with an adjuster later, and can help you prove what you owned, what it cost, and what…

Homeowners insurance is going up again in 2026—what insurers look at when they price your house
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Homeowners insurance is going up again in 2026—what insurers look at when they price your house

Homeowners insurance is set to get more expensive again in 2026, and the jump will not be random. Insurers are recalculating what it really costs to rebuild your house, how likely it is to be damaged, and how your individual choices either amplify or reduce that risk. If you understand what they are looking at,…

The cheapest home safety upgrade people still put off—and why it matters in 2025
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The cheapest home safety upgrade people still put off—and why it matters in 2025

In a year when you might be putting off a new roof, a kitchen refresh, or even repainting the living room, the most affordable safety upgrade in your home is probably sitting on the ceiling, quietly neglected. In 2025, the gap between what you know you should do for safety and what you actually get…

7 smoke detector mistakes that matter more in winter—and how to fix them
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7 smoke detector mistakes that matter more in winter—and how to fix them

Winter quietly raises the stakes for every smoke detector in your home, just as you spend more time indoors with heaters running and windows sealed. The season’s dry air, temperature swings, and heavier reliance on appliances all magnify small mistakes that might not matter as much in July but can turn critical in January. If…

Some smoke/CO alarms may not alert properly—how to check your model number fast
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Some smoke/CO alarms may not alert properly—how to check your model number fast

When smoke or carbon monoxide alarms fail to sound, the problem is often hiding in plain sight: the specific model you own and whether it is still performing as designed. To know if your devices are affected by recalls, aging sensors, or compatibility issues, you need to identify the exact model number quickly and accurately….

Space heater placement rules that stop most fires (and the one spot to avoid)
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Space heater placement rules that stop most fires (and the one spot to avoid)

Most space heater fires do not start because the device is faulty, but because it is parked in the wrong place at the wrong time. With a few clear placement rules, you can keep the extra warmth you want while sharply cutting the odds that a knocked-over unit, overloaded outlet, or nearby blanket turns into…

A space heater recall is making the rounds—how to check yours in under a minute
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A space heater recall is making the rounds—how to check yours in under a minute

Space heater recalls are stacking up, and the latest one involves a popular whole-room model that many people bought to get through this winter. You can find out in under a minute whether your heater is affected by checking the label, the retailer where you bought it, and a few key recall pages. A quick…