Residential

Understanding the forces behind higher insurance costs

by American Modern February 03, 2025

As a customer, you may be wondering why insurance costs are on the rise and options seem limited. From severe weather events to widespread inflation, there are several...


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Help customers understand the forces behind higher insurance costs

by American Modern February 03, 2025

Insurance customers everywhere have questions about increased costs and limited options. These talking points can help you address your customers’ concerns and keep them informed. (more…)


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Safety first: 5 tips for a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend

by American Modern February 03, 2025

Barbeques, fireworks, bonfires, boating and long days in the sun are just some of the many ways millions of Americans celebrate Labor Day weekend. Whether they be traveling...


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Winterize your home in 8 steps

by American Modern January 13, 2025

Winter isn’t around the corner—it’s already here. But it’s never too late to hunker down and winterize your home. You can still lower your energy bill and keep...


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End-of-the-year insurance checklist

by American Modern December 12, 2024

At the end of each year, we are whisked through a series of holiday celebrations, all leading up to the most contemplative day of the year: New Year’s...


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Beat the deep freeze: How to prevent frozen pipes

by American Modern December 11, 2024

Freezing temperatures. Whiteout storms. Icy roads. And, worst of all, frozen pipes. You can’t do much about winter’s “wonderland,” but you can take steps to keep your pipes...


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Your guide to winter maintenance

by American Modern December 11, 2024

Winter tends to ignore the calendar. Slush, sleet, frost and freezing temps can show up early, stay late and be extra hard on any home. Get ahead of...


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Light the holidays with cheer: Christmas tree safety tips

by American Modern December 11, 2024

Many of us take Christmas tree traditions very seriously. It is no wonder that trees are the centerpiece of our holidays and add a touch of magic and...


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How much snow can your roof handle?

by American Modern December 03, 2024

With winter weather fast approaching, you might be expecting quite a bit of snow on your roof. The question: Can your roof handle it? The answer: It depends....


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5 easy steps to help winterize your home

by American Modern December 02, 2024

Winter is right around the corner, follow these 5 simple home winterization steps to help save money and energy. (more…)


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5 Steps to cut your water heating bills

by American Modern December 01, 2024

Did you know that heating water for your faucets, showers and appliances can consume up to 20% of your home’s energy? That’s a big slice of any homeowner’s...


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9 Christmas tree pet safety tips

by American Modern December 01, 2024

If you have seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you probably recall the tragic scene where Clark goes into the living room to find the string lights on the Christmas...


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Deep fry your turkey with a side of safety

by American Modern November 22, 2024

For the perfect holiday dinner, casseroles and cranberries, stuffing and sweet potatoes are all crowd favorites. But turkey is still the start of the culinary show. Of course,...


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7 tips to help prevent theft during the holidays

by American Modern November 21, 2024

“We live on the most boring street in the whole United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen.” – Buzz McCallister, Home Alone Planning to...


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How to keep your home (and Santa) safe from a chimney fire

by American Modern November 01, 2024

The tradition of Santa Claus entering people’s homes through the chimney goes back to pre-Christian times when European folklore characters were believed to use the chimney to deliver...


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How not to be gobbled up by Thanksgiving Day fiascos

by American Modern October 20, 2024

So, you’ve offered to host Thanksgiving this year. Hats off to you! Now for the fun part…a long list of holiday to-dos like braving the grocery store, ordering...


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7 smart devices that protect your home

by American Modern October 20, 2024

Keeping your home safe these days goes way beyond guard dogs, spotlights and deadbolts. Smart devices help you control access and keep an eye on things from anywhere...


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Prevent home water damage with these 3 devices

by American Modern October 12, 2024

Walking into your home and seeing unexpected puddles of water pooling on the floor, or water leaking from the ceiling, can be a nightmare. Water damage is devastating...


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Earthquakes can happen anywhere. Are you ready?

by American Modern September 21, 2024

People living in earthquake-prone areas are generally more aware of earthquake safety than others. Consider California and its history of earthquakes, for instance. Awareness of the risk is...


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Pet tips for apartment living

by American Modern September 20, 2024

According to the LA Times, more than 70% of apartment renters own pets, with cats and dogs being the most popular types. Regardless of whether you’re a cat-...


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Your guide to fall maintenance

by American Modern September 20, 2024

Pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, haunted houses, apple picking—fall is full of outdoor fun. It’s also a sign that colder weather is on the way. As you head...


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Halloween hacks that protect against rental property nightmares

by American Modern September 04, 2024

So, you’ve done the hard part and purchased a rental property. You’ve bought deadbolts, security devices, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to keep your tenants safe. You’ve also...


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Safety tips to keep in mind this Labor Day

by American Modern July 24, 2024

Labor Day is all about having fun in the sun and spending time with family and friends. But vacant homes, fireworks, grills, and even the sun can pose...


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8 tips to help you prepare for a wildfire

by American Modern July 02, 2024

Wildfires happen quickly. Sometimes it's only a matter of seconds from spark to blaze. And once a fire begins, it can spread at a rate of up to...


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Wildfire emergency evacuation checklist

by American Modern July 01, 2024

During an emergency, there may be little or no time to think about what you need to do. This checklist is designed to help you prepare and respond...


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Don’t let your bonfire go up in smoke with these 6 tips

by American Modern June 30, 2024

Whether you’re roasting marshmallows at the campground or hanging out with friends in your backyard, bonfires are a fun way to keep warm and socialize. But fire is...


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Create a five-foot buffer to help protect your home from wildfires

by American Modern June 29, 2024

People living in California are keenly familiar with the risk of wildfire. Of the 4.5 million U.S. homes at high or extreme risk, more than 2 million of...


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Help protect your home with fire-resistant landscaping

by American Modern June 28, 2024

Californians are no strangers to wildfires. In 2019 alone, 8,194 wildfires burned 259,148 acres in the Golden State, according to the Insurance Information Institute. With that in mind,...


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5 window safety tips

by American Modern June 22, 2024

Everyone loves a warm summer breeze coming in from the window. Maybe you’re working or relaxing, or simply enjoying the nice weather. However, it’s always important to remember...


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The ultimate lake house safety guide

by American Modern June 07, 2024

Nothing screams summer like packing up the car and heading down to the lake house. Living by the water provides a constant source of entertainment. But while swimming,...


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11 safety tips every pool owner should know

by American Modern June 02, 2024

Days are getting longer, temps are rising, schools are closing. For people who own pools and hot tubs, that means two things: more time in the water, and...


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4th of July safety guide

by American Modern June 01, 2024

The 4th of July is a wonderful time for family, friends, fun, freedom, and fireworks. But, outdoor grills, pyrotechnics, and unattended homes can create dangerous situations. Keep these...


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Smart Thermostats: Heat-beaters and Money-savers

by American Modern May 23, 2024

Summer’s here and temperatures are on the rise. If you’re looking for new ways to beat the heat, a smart thermostat might be the right solution: It can...


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Don’t leave your home alone without these dos and don’ts

by American Modern May 21, 2024

"We live on the most boring street in the whole United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen.” – Buzz McCallister, Home Alone This summer,...


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Your guide to summer maintenance

by American Modern May 18, 2024

The first day of summer is almost here! Time to start tackling some those home care projects on your list. Home improvement stores are full of warm-weather ideas...


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Prepare your pool for child safety

by American Modern April 20, 2024

Now that summer is in full swing, it’s likely that you and your kids are spending a lot of time cooling off by the pool. Here are some...


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6 grilling safety tips

by American Modern April 19, 2024

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there’s an average of 8,800 home fires annually as a result of outdoor grilling. And more happen in July than in...


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Spring flood protection: How to secure your home

by American Modern April 02, 2024

While it's true that spring rains are great for new plant growth – which is a welcome sight after a long winter – some storms are capable of...


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Your guide to spring maintenance

by American Modern March 01, 2024

After this cold and gray winter, you’re surely looking forward to brighter days, spring blooms, and lots of sunshine. With warmer temperatures approaching, it’s time to gear up...


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12 tips to prevent kitchen fires

by American Modern February 20, 2024

Burning dinner can be something to laugh about. A burning kitchen? Not so much. More fires start in the kitchen than in any room of the house.1 Which...


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Top 5 reasons to buy a tiny home

by American Modern February 10, 2024

Tiny living is the hot new housing trend that has people of all walks of life permanently downsizing. They’re cost-efficient, energy-efficient, and space-efficient. If you don’t mind sacrificing...


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6 advantages of manufactured homes

by American Modern January 18, 2024

As housing prices continue to increase, many homebuyers are expanding their search beyond traditional houses.  Manufactured homes present a viable option for potential homeowners. They’ve come a long...


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Heat up Valentine’s Day without burning down your home

by American Modern January 17, 2024

Candles and romance go hand in hand on Valentine’s Day, but what starts as a warm glow could escalate into a dangerous fire. Although candles account for a...


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Tie-downs are crucial for manufactured homes

by American Modern January 16, 2024

Tie-downs are crucial when it comes to the safety of any manufactured home. Because manufactured homes are very lightweight, strong winds are more likely to get under and...


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Rethink the word “valuables”

by American Modern January 12, 2024

Cash and jewelry aren’t the only items on thief’s must-have list. There are a lot of “soft” targets you may not have considered, too. Check out this list...


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Why skirting is a must for manufactured homes

by American Modern January 10, 2024

When choosing a manufactured home that fits your style and needs, it’s important to remember to buy and install the skirting. Not only is the skirting used to...


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Protect your pocket from costly home repairs – like HVAC and appliances

by American Modern January 09, 2024

In today’s world, we are all looking for more customizable options. Whether you’re building your computer’s system, picking out a band for your fitness tracker, or deciding if...


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10 tips for space heater safety

by American Modern January 05, 2024

Space heaters are pretty popular for a reason. When the furnace is on the fritz or when heating the whole house simply costs too much, they can take...


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6 wildfire evacuation preparation tips

by American Modern September 14, 2023

While wildfire season often occurs during the summer, a wildfire could start at any time if the conditions are right. With how unpredictable and fast the wildfires are, surviving begins...


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Check all your boxes with our insurance checklist

by American Modern May 04, 2022

We know how life can get, so we totally get how easy it is to forget to update your home insurance policies when things change. But don’t worry!...


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Are you a new landlord? You’ll benefit from having a team of pros help you

by American Modern April 27, 2022

Owning a rental property is an investment in your financial future, and managing it is a business. The temptation to save some money by doing everything yourself is...


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6 simple steps can help minimize your exposure to wildfires

by American Modern May 06, 2021

Wildfire risk used to be seasonal, but in many states, it is now a year-round risk. Brush and forest fires cause extensive damage every year, and it’s not...


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