Paying Your Home Insurance Premium Monthly vs. Annually

The cost of paying your homeowners insurance premium doesn’t cover only your policy; it also covers the insurance company’s expenses associated with processing payments. In order to reduce these costs, some insurers allow you to make biannual, quarterly or annual payments, as opposed to monthly payments. Though it may only cost a few extra dollars to make monthly payments, those few dollars add up when you multiply them by twelve months per year, for years to come. That means, fewer payments can lead to savings in the long run.

While some families can comfortably afford the one-and-done annual or biannual homeowners insurance payment, others must budget for monthly payments. However, even if you can’t partake in the savings, the valuable coverage is still worth it to protect you from the potential for a covered incident.

Whether you pay once or twelve times per year, it’s in your best interest to familiarize yourself with the methods of payment that are accepted by your insurer. Some people enjoy the ease of automatic payments, but you should think twice about enrolling if your checking account balance dwindles dangerously close to zero at any given time. The last thing you want is to have to pay an “insufficient funds” charge if an automatic payment overdraws your account. Many people prefer manual electronic payments; just remember to set a calendar reminder so you don’t lose track of the due date.

Your agent can help you determine if your policy allows for less frequent payments and if that’s a good option for your family.

Learn more about how you can save. Call us at (915) 562-0009 for more information on El Paso home insurance.

Do you dream of a backyard full of lush foliage? You don’t have to give up on your dream just because you currently live in an apartment. In fact, you can grow a successful garden right on your balcony. However, because balconies create a different micro-climate than the conditions on the ground, you’ll have to give a bit of extra care to your plants. Get started with these simple steps:

1. Take measurements of the areas you wish to plant so you can buy the right gardening containers. You can also hang a trellis on the wall and/or hang planters over the windowsill or balcony railing. (Hint: Vines and herbs are great for balconies, so these vertical spaces are extremely important.)
2. Study the conditions on your balcony so you know which types of plants have the best chances for survival. If your balcony sees a lot of sun each day, you can buy a variety of sun-loving plants; but if your balcony is cast in shade for most the day, you’d be better off buying woodland plants. Also consider temperature and wind patterns so you can buy plants that are known to thrive under those conditions. (Hint: Reevaluate each season because conditions change from spring/summer to fall/winter.
3. Once you know what you’re working with, it’s time to buy some plants and/or seeds. Do some research and talk to the employees at your local gardening store to learn more about which plants you should start with. (Hint: Start small with a few plants to get a feel for the hobby. If you truly enjoy gardening, you can always buy more plants as you go.)
4. Buy a quality organic potting soil and any necessary fertilizers. You may even wish to start your own compost pile to enrich your plants’ soil.

Have you seen success with your balcony garden? We’d love to hear your tips! Protect the things that make your apartment a home. Call us at (915) 562-0009 for more information on El Paso renters insurance.