When you own a home, it’s essential (and even required) for you to have liability insurance to cover your personal property. However, if your home is worth more than what your insurance company is willing to cover with a basic policy, you may need to add umbrella...
Swimming pools are a luxurious feature that many homeowners have in their backyards for the summer. They’re great for keeping cool in the heat and entertaining your friends and family. As fun as pools can be, they are also dangerous if you’re not careful. That’s why...
Every winter season comes with unpredictable weather. In Virginia, it’s easy to experience a bright and sunny morning that quickly turns to freezing temperatures and piles of snow and ice at night. These types of conditions are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Harsh...
As homes age, it’s natural for them to settle and begin cracking at the foundation. Sometimes, though, your home’s foundation can receive damage from unforeseen circumstances. Regardless of why your foundation is deteriorating, it needs to get fixed before the...
Mold can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. No one wants to peel back a carpet or open a cabinet and find dark, fuzzy splotches covering the area. Unfortunately, mold growth can be found if your home is exposed to excessive amounts of moisture. Signs that there may be...
In the United States, more than 100.9 million people live in rental housing as opposed to owning their own home. While there are many perks to renting your living space, the downside is that you are still responsible for protecting the property and all of your...
For many young adults, buying their first home can be an exciting, yet nerve-wracking experience. Most first-timers have no idea where to start. The process is time-consuming and confusing at best. If you’re new to the home buying process, here’s a few tips to help...
Buying home insurance is intimidating. For new homeowners and multiple property owners, buying insurance for your home can feel confusing at the best of times. With so many policies, prices and companies, the whole process can be overwhelming. This is...
Virginia is no stranger to flooding damage. As a coastal state with many mountains and valleys, it’s easy to see how homeowners across the commonwealth experience flooding every year. During the summer hurricane season or even during the winter months, Virginia...
The short answer: Sometimes. Filing a claim with your home insurance provider can raise your yearly premium, but it depends on a wide host of factors. Whether you should file a home insurance claim or not depends entirely on: What’s covered in your...
Home insurance is an important, and often necessary, part of owning a home. These plans protect your #1 investment and the people who call it home. That’s why it’s important to get the right amount of coverage for your situation. While you want to protect your...
During the spring months, Richmond, VA sees a lot of rain showers. More rain means more chances for flooding and water damage to your home. While you’re planning to protect your house from thunderstorms, that’s only half of your problems. Most water damage...
Winter is the perfect time to sit around the fireplace with your family. A cozy fire burning bright, everyone spending quality time with each other, it is a classic holiday sight. Unfortunately, these picturesque family moments can be ruined by improper fireplace...
When it’s time to leave for vacation, your bags are all packed, the tickets for the flight are in your flight app, and your hotel accommodations have already been booked. Some families stop mail for the week, and they find someone to look after their pets. But what...
When a homeowner moves into a new home, this is the time when most people review their homeowners policy. Unfortunately, this is not the only time when you should review your policy. Any time you make a major investment like a new appliance, or make renovations, you...
One of the scariest yet most prevalent home-related accidents are house fires. It’s said that over 1/4th of reported fires in the United States are house fires, while 73% of fire related injuries occur from house fires. These statistics are not surprising,...
The short answer is yes. Winter in Virginia can be a particularly joyful time with holiday hallmarks, toasty fires, decadently created s’mores and hearty soups. However, it also comes with unpredictable weather that can cause serious snowstorms and the formation of...
Many consumers are deciding to rent rather than purchase a home. Statistics show home ownership rates are lower than they have been in the last 50 years. Despite these numbers, most renters do not have renters’ insurance. Here at Sanford Insurance, we believe these...
There’s no doubt that a fire can have devastating effects on your home and your family. The best way to ensure that your family and home are free from the damaging path of a fire is to take active measure to prevent a fire. Throughout this blog, we share five tips...
As we enter into the hottest part of the summer, there’s one thing every homeowner should prepare for: hurricanes. Not only are these giant storms dangerous with high winds, tons of rain, and powerful forces -- but even a Category 1 hurricane can cause significant...