Who you live with and your relationship to them can have an impct on your premium. As your relationship and living status changes, make sure to update your policy. Without your policy properly updated, you could have too much or too little coverage on your vehicles.

Single with Roommates

Whether your home is owned or rented, you should have a policy that covers your home and your possessions. Anyone can cause damage to your home whether it be your guests, your roommates, or yourself.

If you are renting, you should be purchasing renters insurance. Each person whose name is on the lease needs their own policy. If one name is not on the lease and they do not have a policy, then their possessions are likely covered under the policyholder’s insurance.

If you’re living with roommates, your insurance company may even want to add your roommates to your auto insurance. This can serve as a preventative measure in case they have access to the vehicle an could potentially get into an accident with it. It would be much worse to have your roommate damage your car and then find out it will not be covered.

Cohabiting

Most states (including Connecticut) require insurance companies to recognize domestic partners under the same auto policy. Depending on the company, if you and your significant other are not domestic partners, you may need to purchase separate policies as roommates would do.

Sharing a home does not necessarily mean that you are sharing a car, but if your partner uses your vehicle at all, they should be listed on your auto insurance policy.

Some couples may elect to insure themselves separately due to driving records or easy payments. However, you might be eligible for a discount if you combine your insurance policies into one.

Married

Once you get married, your spouse will be covered under your homeowners, renters, or condo insurance. However, you still need to inform your insurance agent of your status change (maybe even invite them to the wedding!).

Make sure to review your coverages to make sure you are covered for all of your new additional possessions. For example, you may want to schedule your engagement ring and wedding bands as they are often worth more than what your insurance will cover.

If you are married but separated– with your spouse living elsewhere–they are no longer considered an insured on the policy.

Your auto insurance should also be combined. If your spouse gets into an accident while driving your car, you want to make sure you’re covered. Not to mention, you’ll likely receive a discount by combining your policies.

Divorced

If you and your spouse are divorcing, and one of you is keeping the home, you will need to reissue the deed in the sole owner’s name.

The homeowners policy is tied with the deed and insures whoevers name is listed there. If both names are on the deed, deleting your spouse from the policy is not enough.

You’ll also need to get a new title issued for your car if both spouses are listed as owners. Keep in mind that when an accident occurs, the other driver goes after the car owner, not the driver.

Umbrella Insurance

Your umbrella policy increases liability coverage for both your home and auto insurance. As with all of your other policies, your umbrella policy should be reviewed anytime you make big life changes.

Whether it is combining households or divorcing, your coverages need to be adjusted to fit your new life.

Need to reassess your policies? StateChoice can review your coverages and make recommendations, even if you are not currently insured with us. Give us a call 860-232-1234.

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For more info see article in The Hartford where this information was found.

Yes folks, it is indeed that time of year again. Co-workers chit chat about how they are going to completely transform. Family members press wondering what you are doing next to become a better person. Often times people feel discouraged at this time of year; how many times do I have to swear I’m going to give up Gluten before I realize I can’t do it? However, rather than feel discouraged, we should take our past resolutions, and learn from them. Why didn’t I succeed last year? What can I do better?

I do not wish to be in the group of those discouraged and let down. The Journal of Clinical Psychology found that 46% of people who made New Year’s resolutions last year were successful in achieving their goals. This may sound bleak, but in reality this is far better than the mere 4% of those that refuse to make resolutions.

As a result, no matter how discouraged you feel, this is not the year to be a naysayer. Join the camp of hopefuls, still making resolutions and fighting to be a part of the 46%. To give you an extra hand, here are tips on how to make your resolution a reality.

Keep your resolutions simple.

Choose carefully.

Plan and set schedules.

Don’t give up!

With these tips in mind, you are in the best possible place for self-improvement. Remember to keep it simple, but to work hard. Don’t lose hope, we are all on our own journeys of self improvement.

The holidays are upon us, which means purchasing thoughtful presents for our loved ones is top of mind.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for your significant other, your children, or your grandchildren we’ve compiled a guide that will help make checking people off your list easier.

Gifts For Your Significant Other

Something Sweet

Sweet treats are always a great gift idea—especially when they can be delivered right to your door.

Toffee Boutique offers milk chocolate, dark chocolate and vegan toffee options so you can find the perfect nutty, crunchy treat for your loved one.

Vegan Treats Bakery ships dairy and egg free sweets like cannolis, cakes and truffles country-wide.

Cost: $7.49 and up

Something Sentimental

A membership to Ancestry.com will allow your significant other to unearth details about their family history and gain access to records and photos.

Cost: $99 to $199 for Ancestry.com subscription (AARP members can save 30 percent)

Something Memorable

Giving the gift of an experience is a great way to make memories and possibly learn something new.

Whether your loved one has always wanted to learn how to bake, ride in a hot air balloon, or take dance lessons TrulyExperience.com allows you to customize the experience.

You can even book an extraordinary getaway to places like Romania and Switzerland. If you do decide to travel, these apps will make it easier and these tips will help you prep your home before you go away.

Cost: From under $100 to over $5,000

Gifts For Your Children

Something Spicy

Hot sauce is the perfect stocking stuffer for your adult children. They can mix it into homemade salsa, put it on pizza, stir it into chili and so much more. Horsetooth Hot Sauce offers individual bottles of hot sauce and barbeque sauce – or you can purchase a gift box.

Cost: starting at $6

Something That Will Last

Holiday cards, senior portraits, newborn snapshots, wedding shoots– the list is endless when it comes to moments your children want to capture. Support a local photographer and give the gift of a photo session or purchase prints.

Cost: prices vary depending on photographer and length of session

Something to Help Relax

Everyone could use more relaxation in their lives. Give the gift of yoga by purchasing a membership to Yoga Download, where your son or daughter can access hundreds of classes online with nationally known instructors.

Cost: $120 for a one-year unlimited subscription (or $18 a month if you prefer to pay monthly)

Something Sleek

AfterShokz wireless headphones transmit sound via bone vibrations meaning they sit outside the ears, allowing the wearer to hear what’s going on in the world around them as they walk, jog, or bike. These sleek headphones come in cool colors, from pink to ocean blue to metallic green.

A bonus: they can also be used with Bluetooth technology for making and taking calls on the go.

Cost: starting at $99

Gifts For Your Grandchildren

Something Indulgent

Whether your grandchildren are five or 25, FunkyChunky has a variety of indulgently crafted gourmet popcorn and pretzel flavors that make for delicious stocking stuffers.

You can order individual canisters or gift sets with flavors like peppermint bark and peanut butter cup.

Cost: starting at $3.50

Something Shiny

Chicky Chicky Bling Bling sells embellished headbands, clips, hair bows and jewelry.  From soft pastels to vibrant hues, from playful patterned prints to glittering designs, these accessories will make dressing up a blast.

Cost: starting at $1.00

Something Educational

Kiwi Crate will send your grandchild a kit each month containing a fun project that focuses on building skills in science, technology, engineering, art and math. You can pick from different age ranges and interests. These crates are educational, creative, convenient and entertaining.

Cost: starting at $16.95/month

This handy guide should help make your holiday shopping a breeze – leaving you with more time to enjoy sitting around a fire, spending time with family and friends, and taking in all that season brings.

 

 

Content supplied by The Hartford Social Share. Original article: https://extramile.thehartford.com/technology/unique-holiday-gift-ideas/

 

 

Hispanic Heritage Month (El Mes de la Herencia Hispana) was started in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson, originally set to be just a week long celebration.  However in 1988, it was expanded to 30 days by President Ronald Reagan. Hispanic Heritage Month lasts every year from September 15th-October 15th. September 15th marks el Día de la Independencia for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua thus it was a fitting day to begin a celebration for Hispanic Heritage.  September 16th marks the Independence Day for Mexico, September 18th marks the Independence Day for Chile. While in the United States, October 12th is celebrated as Columbus Day, in much of Latin America it is celebrated as Dia de la Raza, or Hispanic Heritage Day. Since that time frame is filled with a lot of history, it serves as a great time to honor and celebrate the cultures of Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

So how do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

1. Education

The first step is to understand the culture. Learn a little bit about your Hispanic counterparts whether that be through research or asking questions! With so many different countries making up Latin America, there is always new information about traditions, food, and culture. Whether through art, literature, or conversation, you are sure to enjoy some of what you hear. Check out one of these books by Latino authors!

2. Music

Latin Music from Gasolina to Despacito has always made it into the hearts of listeners regardless of language preference. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, here is a playlist of all of our favorite latin hits. There is sure to be a song here you would love!

3. Food

Without good music and good food can you even consider yourself Latino? Celebrate the delicious varieties of food from Latin America by hosting a potluck with friends. Everyone can bring a dish inspired by a different Latin American country! Don’t worry, we’ve got a few suggestions to get you started.

4. Movie Night

Not into food or dance? Why not host a movie night instead! Movies from Selena to Mi Familia all celebrate Hispanics and Hispanic Americans. Many films like Disney’s Coco (also on Netflix!!) will probably jerk some tears out between the smiles. Need some more ideas? Here is a list of great films to watch this month.

5. Speak Spanish!

Whether you speak fluently, proficiently, or not at all, a few words in Spanish can make you new connections whether that be through work, family, or friendship. If you don’t speak Spanish, try out Duolingo (a ~*free*~ language learning app) for the month to see how much you can learn! Even one word a day can make a difference.

 

Finally, if you are Hispanic/Latino, share your culture with others, let them know that you are proud of where you come from. Now is a time to celebrate, learn about different cultures, and break down barriers. Don’t be scared to try new things; embrace the differences and similarities that bring us together!