As the vibrant colors of spring begin to blossom, it’s the perfect season for renewal and fresh starts. Beyond revitalizing our gardens and cleaning out our homes, spring offers an ideal opportunity to reassess one of the most essential aspects of our lives: our insurance needs. Just as we embrace growth and change in our surroundings, we should also take time to evaluate our coverage to ensure it aligns with our current circumstances. 

Why Assess Your Insurance Needs?

Life is full of transitions—new jobs, marriages, births, or even the purchase of a home. These changes can significantly impact your financial landscape and, consequently, your insurance requirements. Failing to periodically review your policies might leave you underinsured, overpaying, or worse, without adequate protection. Spring gives us a chance to reflect and make necessary adjustments to safeguard our future.

Key Areas to Consider

1. **Life Events:** Major life changes should prompt a thorough review of your insurance. For instance, if you recently welcomed a child, you may need to increase your life insurance or consider a new health plan to include your growing family. Similarly, marriage or divorce may lead to adjustments in both life and property insurance.

2. **Asset Changes:** Have you recently bought or sold valuable assets like a car or home? It’s crucial to update your insurance policies to reflect these changes. Additionally, consider whether you need additional coverage for new assets, such as jewelry or electronic devices.

3. **Health Changes:** As we age or experience health changes, our insurance needs may evolve. Review your health insurance plan to ensure it covers all necessary medical services. If you’ve developed a chronic condition, for example, you may need a plan with wider network coverage or better prescription benefits.

4. **Coverage Gaps:** Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home; it’s also time to clean up any gaps in your insurance coverage. Assess whether your current policies adequately protect you from risks like natural disasters, liability claims, or other unforeseen events. 

5. **Changing Financial Priorities:** Your financial goals may shift over time. If you are saving for retirement, the policies you had in place as a newlywed might not align with your current financial plans. Reevaluate life insurance and investment policies to ensure they still fit your financial strategy.

Steps to Reassess Your Insurance Needs

1. **Conduct a Policy Review:** Gather all your current insurance policies—home, auto, health, life, and any others. Take note of the coverage limits, deductibles, and premiums.

2. **Identify Changes:** Reflect on the life events and changes that have occurred since your last review. Make a list of any new priorities, assets, or needs that should be addressed in your insurance.

3. **Consult an Agent:** Don’t hesitate to reach out to an insurance agent for guidance. They can help clarify complicated terms and suggest coverage options tailored to your current circumstances.

4. **Compare Policies:** Take this opportunity to shop around. Comparing insurance providers can reveal better coverage options at competitive rates. Online tools and resources make this process easier than ever.

5. **Update Your Coverage:** After evaluating your needs and considering new options, update your policies accordingly. Ensure that all changes are documented and confirm that you understand your new coverage.

As we enjoy the renewal that spring brings, let’s not forget to reassess the things that protect us. Embracing a fresh start with your insurance needs allows you to better safeguard your future and bring peace of mind. Whether it’s through enhancing your coverage or eliminating unnecessary costs, taking the time for this important reassessment can lead to greater financial security.

Spring into action and review your insurance needs today! By doing so, you'll not only protect what you have but also prepare for the exciting changes yet to come.

​Is clutter overpowering your manufactured home? Here's a list of some things you can do to optimize the space you have.

Use bookshelves as dividers

You can divide one room into two without making structural changes by making use of a free-standing bookcase – and at the same time, gain added space not only for books but for utilitarian, decorative and collectible items. For example, a bedroom can be divided to retain the sleeping area on one side and a study on the other. Since most bookcases are meant to be placed against a wall, the backs may be unfinished. Solve the problem by coverage the back with panels of colorful fabric that coordinate with your room's décor.

Create a multi-purpose room

Even available 6 x 9 space can be converted into a combination office, hobby, sewing and ironing room. Set one side apart for the office, to include a desk built of 2x4s and Mylar-covered hard-board. You can store account books and business papers in stackable plastic vegetable bins above the desk and in a plastic storage box beneath the desk. Mylar-covered work surfaces are also used on the sewing/laundry side of the space, along with additional plastic storage drawers (using contrasting colors for opposite sides of the room) for fabrics, patterns and thread. Hang the ironing board from the wall hooks when not in use; poles can be positioned above the work surfaces from which to hang laundry.

Make use of screens

A folding floor-to-ceiling screen can serve both a decorative and a practical purpose. For example, a three-panel screen designed with picture frames can display family memories and conceal storage space.

Guest towel display

If having plenty of hand towels available for guests is a problem, here's an idea you may find useful. Roll up the towels like magazines and store them in a wine rack. It's a colorful way to display towels and they're always handy. Depending on the weight of the wine rack you choose, the rack can be hung from the wall, or simply set on the toilet tank.

Enjoying your memories

If you have a drawer or box filled with memorabilia, but never seem to get around to organizing it, here's a tip that will make the project fun. Put the items in a photograph album or scrap book. Whatever kind of book you use, make sure the pages are acid free so your memorabilia will be safe.
Not only will assembling the book be fun, but then you can share the scraps of family history with guests and friends!

Storage trunk

An antique trunk is a sure bet for great storage. Trunks are available at antique dealers and estate sales, sometimes quite reasonably priced. You might need to paint or refinish the trunk. If the inside needs attention, clean it and put adhesive-backed vinyl or wallpaper in as a liner. Add a couple of sachets, and you can store blankets, spare bedding for a fold-out sofa, off-season clothing or hobby and crafts materials. Depending on its size, the trunk can be used to hold a television, stereo components, plants, or even as a coffee table.
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