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Articles by Marisa Perjatel
Intro to Insurance for College Students and Parents
Before heading to college or sending a child off to school, there is a lot to think about: there’s financial planning, touring the campus, and of course, potentially meeting roommates and decorating the dorm room. As you open this exciting chapter, don’t forget to take advantage of any available savings on your insurance for college students and update your policies.
Like all life insurance products, term life policies are designed to ensure your beneficiaries are financially supported in the event of your passing. But unlike a permanent policy, which lasts a lifetime, term life insurance only pays out if your death occurs during the term limit. When weighing your options, why choose term? We debunk a few common term life insurance myths to help you decide. Truth: Is term life insurance worth it? We say yes.
10 Things You Didn’t Know Insurance Could Cover
When thinking about the worse-case scenarios your insurance is designed to protect, it’s easy to let your imagination run wild with what-ifs. What if the next big storm causes a long-term power outage? What if someone breaks into your kid’s dorm room? And (for the biggest overthinkers) what if a plane crashes into your house? Some situations may be more extreme than others, but it’s normal to wonder if insurance would help if they ever were to happen.
Why Did My Home Insurance Rate Go Up?
Similar to why auto insurance rates go up, home insurance increases can be attributed to a variety of reasons due to no fault of the policyholder. Factoring in the economy, increases depend on where you live and who insures you. Homeowners who have not already noticed a change in their rate can likely expect a modest increase in their next renewal. Though some increases are unavoidable, there are a few offsets you can explore.
Dealing With Extreme Heat
As the heat turns up, so does the risk of heatstroke. Warmer than usual temperatures are to be expected in the Northeast during the summer months, although as a result of climate change, the frequency, duration and intensity of heat waves that we experience every year is only projected to increase, according to the World Health Organization. When the mercury starts to rise into the 90s and push up into the 100s, it can become dangerous to our health, homes, cars and pets.
Spring Motorcycle Maintenance Checklist
With spring comes the sweet sound of rolling thunder (and we’re not talking about the weather!). Motorcyclists itch for the first nice day of spring, when the sun is shining, the temperature hits above 60 degrees and the conditions are just right. Before that long-awaited ride, take care of spring motorcycle maintenance to get ready for the road.
What Is Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost?
When reading your home insurance policy — or any insurance policy, for that matter — it’s easy to get lost in the verbiage and jargon. Two of the most bewildering terms for home policyholders are “actual cash value” and “replacement cost.” At first glance, one might mistake these policies as being similar or interchangeable, but they are not the same. Being unaware of the difference could affect your coverage.
Understanding Umbrella Insurance
When unexpected worst-case scenarios occur that result in large claims or lawsuits, personal umbrella coverage offers extra protection to what your auto and homeowners insurance policies can provide. Before asking your insurance agent to add it to your policies, it’s a good idea to have a base understanding of umbrella insurance first. Imagine if you were at fault for causing a multicar pileup and are responsible for all the resulting damages and medical bills.
Specialty Insurance for Boats, Motorcycles & More
If you own a motorcycle, boat, RV, collector car or something else fun to zip around in like an ATV or snowmobile, you know that joyrides are the joys of life. With specialty insurance, you can ensure such prized possessions are well-protected, so you can enjoy a carefree mindset while you’re out cruising. Some insurance carriers allow you to list your boat, motorcycle, RV or other leisure vehicles on your auto or homeowners policy, but with limitations.
Protect Your Property From Halloween Mischief
Want to hear a scary story? More vandalism claims are filed on Halloween than any other day of the year, according to the Highway Data Loss Institute. While most of the goblins and ghouls you’ll see on Halloween are out looking for treats, tricksters are also known to roam the streets in search of mischief.
Storm Explainer: Storm Categories and More
Storms are unpredictable, but the more we understand about the language used to describe them, the better we can prepare. Do you know your “watch” from your “warning?” As we head into hurricane season, brush up on storm categories and other storm terms with this helpful explainer. How a storm is classified or described in a weather report is rooted in the strength and severity of the wind.
4 Reasons Your Small Business Needs Cyber Insurance
For small businesses operating in today’s digital world, having cyber insurance and proper cybersecurity measures in place is vital. The possibility of being hacked is a daily threat and comes with serious, sometimes irreparable, consequences if you are unprepared. The more work you do online, the more important personal and financial information is at risk of getting into the wrong hands.
How to Deal With Trees in a Storm
If you’ve ever watched trees in a storm, you know that it can be scary. A sunny day can turn into a violent and windy thunderstorm in a matter of minutes. Menacing black clouds creep in quickly, bringing strong winds that push the trees around, swaying them back and forth and carrying away leaves and small branches with ease. Hurricanes, though more predictable, can come on just as fast and with even more force.
Get Your Pet Disaster Preparedness Plan Ready
It seems inconceivable to abandon our beloved animals in an emergency, but a survey by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found that pet owners often find themselves with no other choice. About 23% of the 4,000 pet owners polled in 2021 said they had to evacuate their homes because of a disaster or emergency. Nearly half of them left at least one pet behind, and 30% of those who left their pets said it was because they did not have enough time.
Spend a Moment at … Sally’s Apizza
237 Wooster Street, New Haven, Conn. New Haven pizza is consistently ranked among the top pizza styles in the country. To taste test for yourself, head to Wooster Street, Connecticut’s historic Little Italy neighborhood where it all began. Here, among a row of long-established pastry shops, restaurants and a few nationally recognized pizzerias, you’ll find the original Sally’s Apizza.
Visit Legendary Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., This Fall
“If ever I should wish for a retreat whither I might steal from the world and its distractions, and dream quietly away the remnant of a troubled life, I know of none more promising than this little valley.” It’s with these words that Washington Irving’s nameless narrator describes the now proverbial Westchester glen that sets the scene for his tale, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” I picked up a hardcover copy of the classic on a recent weekend trip to Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. Reading it again after...
The Circular at Hotel Hershey's Chocolate Souffle
AAA Diamond Designation: Four Diamond (Distinctive fine dining, well-serviced amid upscale ambience. Learn more about AAA Diamonds.) Location: 100 Hotel Rd, Hershey, Pa. If anyone knows a good chocolate recipe, it’s Hershey. Enjoy a taste of the sweetest place on Earth at home with this dark chocolate souffle from the Hotel Hershey’s flagship restaurant, The Circular, courtesy of Hershey’s Corporate Pastry Chef, Cher Harris.
Ask an Advisor: Travel Advisor Myths and Facts
Planning a trip from start to finish can be exciting, but it also takes a lot of time and work. While you’ve likely dreamed up all kinds of travel adventures, turning them into a reality is another story. The challenge of travel planning is the details: sticking to your budget, figuring out where to stay and eat, booking activities and tour reservations. Plus, there’s the particulars you might not be thinking of, like currency exchange, transportation and travel insurance.
Faster Flight Routes for Summer Travel
Summer vacation can’t come soon enough. Fortunately, travelers flying domestically will be arriving at their destinations a bit faster, thanks to 169 shorter East Coast flight routes. Designed to cut travel by 40,000 miles and 6,000 minutes annually, the Federal Aviation Administration announced the launch of more direct flight paths on May 1, just in time for peak getaway season.
AAA Photo Session: Color Theme
It’s time for another AAA Photo Session! Use the form below to show off your most captivating capture of this session’s theme. Later, we’ll update this post with all the pictures we receive and feature some of our favorites on our socials. Your photo may also appear in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine. Theme: Color It’s the season of color! Flowers are blooming, the grass is green, and life is on full, vivid display.
Ask an Advisor: The Truth About Guided Travel
If guided travel tours make you think of long bus rides and crowded groups shuffling from one tourist attraction to the next, it’s time to update your perspective. AAA Travel advisor Wendy Marley answers our questions about guided travel, separating old truths from new realities and proving that today’s tours are better than ever. For all your travel questions and trip-planning needs, schedule an appointment with one of our trusted travel advisors. How has guided travel evolved?
Ask an Advisor: Hurricane Recovery in Florida
Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the country, enduring some of the strongest and most damaging storms in recorded history. The last few hurricane seasons have been particularly devastating, namely 2022, when the Sunshine State was hit by Category 4 Hurricane Ian in September, followed by Category 1 Hurricane Nicole in November. Ian is responsible for causing around $65 billion of damage and currently ranks as the costliest disaster behind Hurricane Katrina.
Visit Lake Placid This Spring
Lake Placid may be known as a top ski resort, but spring has its perks, too. As the weather warms up and the days get longer, the streets and slopes become a little quieter, making it feel as though you have the whole place to yourself at times.
AAA Photo Session: Your First Car
It’s time for another AAA Photo Session! Use the form below to show off your most captivating capture of this session’s theme. Later, we’ll update this post with all the pictures we receive and feature some of our favorites on our socials. Your photo may also appear in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine. Theme: Your First Car We all remember our first car.
AAA Photo Session: Close-Up
It’s time for another AAA Photo Session! Use the form below to show off your most captivating capture of this session’s theme. Later, we’ll update this post with all the pictures we receive and feature some of our favorites on our socials. Your photo may also appear in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine. Theme: Close-Up Are you ready for your close-up? Macrophotography or extreme close-up photography magnifies smaller subjects and focuses on the finer details of larger objects.
Photo Session: Black and White
It’s time for another AAA Photo Session! Use the form below to show off your most captivating capture of this session’s theme. Later, we’ll update this post with all the pictures we receive and feature some of our favorites on our socials. Your photo may also appear in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine. Theme: Black and White With black-and-white photography, it’s not all black and white. It’s vintage but timeless, simple but dramatic and despite its limited palette, highly impactful.
Protect Your Property From Halloween Mischief
Want to hear a scary story? More vandalism claims are filed on Halloween than any other day of the year, according to the Highway Data Loss Institute. While most of the goblins and ghouls you’ll see on Halloween are out looking for treats, tricksters are also known to roam the streets in search of mischief.
Go All-Inclusive in 2023
Somewhere in paradise, there’s a beach chair with your name on it. Come find it on an all-inclusive vacation. By taking care of all the details at a prix-fixe cost, all-inclusive hotels and resorts remove the stress of planning and simplify your experience, so you can activate your vacation mode as soon as you arrive. Here are five reasons to go all-inclusive in 2023. Dreamy Locales Discover some of the most sought-after destinations at equally stunning properties.
AAA Photo Session: National Parks
It’s time for another AAA Photo Session! Use the form below to show off your best shot of this session’s theme. Later, we’ll share all the submissions we receive and feature some of our favorites on social media. Your photo may also appear in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine. America’s national parks are national treasures. Dedicated to the protection and conservation of history and nature in our country’s most spectacular open spaces, they belong to all of us to discover and enjoy.
10 Things You Didn’t Know Insurance Could Cover
When thinking about the worse-case scenarios your insurance is designed to protect, it’s easy to let your imagination run wild with what-ifs. What if the next big storm causes a long-term power outage? What if someone breaks into your kid’s dorm room? And (for the biggest overthinkers) what if a plane crashes into your house? Some situations may be more extreme than others, but it’s normal to wonder if insurance would help if they ever were to happen.
Get Your Pet Disaster Preparedness Plan Ready
It seems inconceivable to abandon our beloved animals in an emergency, but a recent survey by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found that pet owners often do. About 23% of the 4,000 pet owners polled last summer said they had to evacuate their homes because of a disaster or emergency. Nearly half of them left at least one pet behind, and 30% of those who left their pets said it was because they did not have enough time.
AAA Photo Session: Cityscapes
It’s time for another AAA Photo Session! Use the form below to show off your best shot of this month’s theme. Later, we’ll update this post with all the submissions we receive and feature some of our favorites on social media. Your photo may also appear in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine. Theme: Cityscapes From skylines to skyscrapers, show us how you’ve captured the grit and glory of cities near and far. For tips and techniques on cityscape photography, check out this article by Adobe.
Weekend in Pittsburgh
Although its moniker and football team are named for its rich history in steel production, Pittsburgh’s industrial past has made way for a modern renaissance. Come expecting urban beauty, a celebration of diversity and a small-town feel that retains the traditions of the past while looking toward the future. Point State Park The perfect introduction to the city, Point State Park is located at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, known as the Golden Triangle.
Types of Small Business Insurance: An Overview
Small business insurance is essential for assuring the smooth and successful operation of your company. Without it, you leave your livelihood vulnerable to potentially devastating liabilities like injuries, data breaches, lawsuits and property damage. But the types of insurance necessary for business depend on the business you are in. Use this guide to get to know your options.
Diamond Dish: Bowery Farming
A thoughtful approach to agriculture is trending upwards. New York City-based Bowery Farming, the largest indoor vertical farm in the country, is leading the way. The planet’s population is growing quickly – it’s expected that by 2050 there will be two billion more mouths to feed, according to National Geographic – and traditional farms will be stressed to meet the demand. With climate change, fewer resources and less farmable land, our food system is facing a dilemma.
Diamond Dish: Porter House Bar & Grill
Diamond Designation:Three Diamond (Trendy food skillfully presented in a remarkable setting. Learn more about AAA Diamonds.) Location: New York, N.Y. In business for over 15 years, Porter House Bar and Grill is a tried-and-true New York City steakhouse. The seasonally inspired menu of Prime dry-aged cuts and American Wagyu is accented by butter-poached lobster, Colorado lamb T-bones and veal and pork chops, with exciting cocktails and an acclaimed wine program to boot.
Diamond Dish: Red Rooster Harlem
Diamond Designation:Three Diamond (Trendy food skillfully presented in a remarkable setting. Learn more about AAA Diamonds.) Location: New York, N.Y. Red Rooster Harlem blends food, art and music to capture the spirit of its neighborhood. The menu features American comforts like shrimp and grits over tomato-okra stew, steak frites with chimichurri and barbecue bearnaise and a lobster roll. The star, however, is the fried yardbird.
Diamond Dish: Jaleo
Diamond Designation: Three Diamond (Trendy food skillfully presented in a remarkable setting. Learn more about AAA Diamonds.) Location: Multiple locations. Serving an extensive list of tapas, paellas and other Spanish staples in a lively and colorful atmosphere, Jaleo brings a taste of Spain to some of the country’s most popular cities and vacation destinations.
AAA Photo Session: In the Yard
It’s time for another AAA Photo Session! Use the form below to show off your best shot of this month’s theme. Later, we’ll update this post with all the submissions we receive and feature some of our favorites on social media. Your photo may also appear in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine. Theme: In the Yard Our yards come alive in summer. Nature puts on a show as birds and other wildlife go about their business and gardens reach their peak.
RV Safety and Insurance Tips
RVing isn’t just a way to travel – it’s a lifestyle. More than simply a mode of transportation, an RV is an all-in-one vacation mobile. It’s your hotel, restaurant and roaming office. It’s your home on the road. Whether you’re interested in renting or buying an RV for the first time, or you can’t wait to get on the road again, these RV safety and insurance tips will make sure your journey is a smooth one.
Fireworks Safety Tips and Facts for the Fourth of July
The flashes and booms of fireworks on the Fourth of July are a tradition almost as old as America itself. But – as with any time you are dealing with fire – fireworks safety should be top of mind.
AAA Photo Session: Ice Cream
It’s time for another AAA Photo Session! Use the form below to show off your most captivating capture of this month’s theme. Later, we’ll update this post with all the pictures we receive and feature some of our favorites on social media. Your photo may also appear in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine. Theme: Ice Cream Scooped in a cup or swirled into a cone, homemade or from your favorite local shop, ice cream is the sweetest way to cool down on a hot day.
What Is Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost
When reading your home insurance policy – or any insurance policy, for that matter – it’s easy to get lost in the verbiage and jargon. Two of the most bewildering terms for home policyholders are “actual cash value” and “replacement cost.” At first glance, one might mistake these policies as being similar or interchangeable, but they are not the same. Being unaware of the difference could affect your coverage.
AAA Photo Session: Motorcycles
It’s time for another AAA Photo Session! Use the form below to show off your most captivating capture of this month’s theme. Later, we’ll update this post with all the pictures we receive and feature some of our favorites on social media. Your photo may also appear in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine.
Art Imitates Life in the Loeb Boathouse Kitchen
When you work at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park, an average day at the office is anything but ordinary. The commute includes a walk on the Frederick Law Olmsted-crafted footpaths and casual birding on the outskirts of the Ramble woods. Your view, the change of seasons from the only lakeside restaurant in Manhattan. For Executive Chef John Greeley, it’s all inspiration.
Why Did My Home Insurance Rate Go Up?
As we are all painfully aware, the highest inflation rate in 40 years has caused prices to spike on everything from gas to groceries. Homebuilding materials and the housing market have also skyrocketed, forcing the home insurance industry to respond. Simply put, as products get pricier, it becomes more expensive to cover them. Similar to why auto insurance rates go up, home insurance increases can be attributed to a variety of reasons due to no fault of the policyholder.
Term Life Insurance Myths and Facts
Like all life insurance products, term life policies are designed to ensure your beneficiaries are financially supported in the event of your passing. But unlike a whole policy, which lasts a lifetime, term life insurance only pays out if your death occurs during the term limit. When weighing your options, why choose term? We debunk a few common misconceptions to help you decide. AAA Insurance Life and Annuity Manager Timothy Boyle helps us sort the facts from fiction.
Photo Session: Reflections
It’s time for a new AAA Photo Session! Use the form below to show off your most captivating capture of this month’s theme. Later, we’ll update this post with all the pictures we receive and feature some of our favorites on social media. Your photo may also appear in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine. Theme: Reflections In a mirror, in a puddle or on the surface of a perfectly still lake, reflections offer new perspective and make for especially interesting photos.
Does Life Insurance Get Taxed?
You know the old proverb: Nothing is certain except death and taxes. As you prepare for the former of these unavoidable certainties with a life insurance policy, it may raise a few questions about the latter, such as, does life insurance get taxed? There are plenty of details to get sorted when setting up a life insurance plan, such as whether you should go with a whole or term policy and how much you need to ensure your loved ones are well taken care of.
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