Vargas & Vargas Insurance

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Dorchester, MA 02124

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How Extreme Heat Waves Can Easily Damage Your Home

Heat waves are becoming more commonplace in many areas of the globe. By July of 2022, three heat waves have swept through the United States. And this doesn’t include the excessive temperatures in places like Europe and Great Britain.

Heat waves can be exceptionally dangerous to human life, which is why you need to keep yourself and your family safe. Yet, they are also exceptionally dangerous to the home.

Never underestimate the power of Mother Nature.

Wear and Tear to Structures

A large portion of homes are made with a wooden structure. From support beams to floors and roofs, there is a lot of lumber in many houses and businesses.

The problem is that wood contracts and expands due to varying temperatures. This fluctuation becomes more rapid and extreme depending on the ambient heat and cold fronts.

The end result is the wood begins to crack and split in various locations throughout the residence. This can compromise the structural integrity of the building and could result in causing far more damage down the line.

For example, a split support beam is less likely to hold the weight of walls or ceilings.

Leaky Roofs

Speaking of splitting wood, the roof is perhaps your first defense against the elements. Due to its construction materials and ability to absorb sunlight and heat, it’s constantly exposed to extreme weather.

As I mentioned earlier, wood begins to crack as it constricts and expands. This includes the materials your shingles are nailed to. Once the smallest crack forms, moisture can easily enter and begin wreaking havoc on the roof.

This doesn’t include how heat waves can cause shingles and other roof types to warp, exposing the underbelly of the roof to even more potential damage.

Wildfire Hazards

An inevitable outcome of heat waves is the onset of wildfires. You’ve probably seen a lot of news coverage in 2022 regarding the damage these fires have caused just in the first half of the year alone.

If a strong wind picks up, wildfires can quickly consume large swaths of land in a very short period of time.

Even if the fire doesn’t consume the entire home, everything from electrical to plumbing damage can be part of the end result. The smallest fires have the potential to cost hundreds if not thousands to repair.

Foundation and Cement Damage

Wood isn’t the only building material that will be affected by heat waves. In fact, the very foundation of your home can be subject to extensive damage during extreme temperatures and drought.

For instance, when the moisture in the soil evaporates, the foundation is less likely to keep a firm grip on the ground. You’ll often see these kinds of effects on sidewalks and roads as cracks begin to form.

However, the actual foundation of your house can also experience the same fate. And just like the roof, cracks in the foundation can lead to a variety of leaks and other weather-based damage.

Protect Yourself During Heat Waves

At Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we’ll help you stay protected against a variety of weather issues. From heat waves to floods, contact us today to find out what we can do to customize your policies for the future.

The last thing you want to experience is a leak in the middle of winter after a heat wave compromised your roof.

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6 Ways Insurance Agents Can Help When Buying a Home

Buying a home is an exciting time in anyone’s life. However, it can also be stressful as you want the best deal possible while finding that “perfect” house. Have you thought about how an insurance agent can help you find the home of your dreams?

Being a Local Expert

Whether you’re a local yourself or moving into a new city, insurance agents are experts in their geographic location. This means they can help by making recommendations while knowing the ins and outs of the locale.

These insights can include everything from school districts to lifestyle happenings and safety. Being part of the local community gives agents a great perspective of the area including specific neighborhoods.

Accurate Cost of Home Insurance Coverages

A local insurance agent will have the ability to provide an accurate estimation of homeowner’s coverage. Thanks to their familiarity with the locale and market values, you’ll get a better idea of how much you’ll spend in addition to your mortgage.

Things like safety features, square footage, and neighborhood can affect your monthly premiums. Contacting a local insurance agent when buying a home takes a lot of guesswork out of the equation.

Better Understanding of Coverage Types

Working in the local area, insurance agents have a better grasp of the types of coverage you might need. For instance, does the location of your prospective new home have an issue with flooding?

This can also benefit you in the other direction as an agent can help save you money by not requiring coverage types. For example, it’s unlikely you’ll need earthquake coverage if the area hasn’t experienced one in a century or two.

Understanding Previous Claims

One of the more profound aspects to using a local insurance agent is his or her understanding of previous claims. What are the most prominent issues for the area in which you’re looking?

This can help you spot all kinds of warning signs before you decide to put a bid on that new home. What if the neighborhood has a long history of flood damage?

Home Inspection Reviews

Home inspections are a crucial step when it comes to buying a home. These determine the safety of the structure and what may need to be addressed soon.

Your local insurance agent can take a look at this inspection and use it as a guide into what issues might impact your rates. Things like electrical wiring, foundation cracks, mold detection, or roof damage can cost you quite a bit. In fact, depending on the extent of the damage, the seller might not be able to sell the home until those issues are fixed.

Capacity to Save Money when Buying a Home

Not only can a local insurance agent help you save money by avoiding certain homes, but you might also get discounts on premiums. Some insurers will discount rates if the home has:

  • smoke alarms
  • sprinkler systems
  • security systems
  • carbon monoxide sensors
  • energy-efficient appliances
  • or other disaster-prevention elements

Local Insurance Agents are a Treasure Trove of Information

Never underestimate the value of your local insurance agent. He or she will have a deeper understanding of many aspects you might not consider.

Let Vargas & Vargas Insurance assist in making one of the biggest decisions of your life. Contact us today and we’ll do what we can to make sure you find that perfect home with the affordable coverage you’ll need.

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