Renovating? Contact your insurance company

(NC)—If you're planning some major home renovations this year, you have some important insurance-related things to remember before you get started. We asked Tara Lessard-Webb, an underwriter with Desjardins General Insurance Group, to share her do's and don'ts about home insurance and renovations:

What's the first thing that homeowners should do?

Before starting any renovation project, the homeowners should notify their insurance company because some renovations could impact their insurance coverage. For example, if the homeowners vacated the house for more than 30 days while the work was being done and didn't inform their insurance company, it would be a violation of their policy. If the house was burglarized while it was empty, there's a good chance the claim wouldn't be covered.

What if they don't vacate the house?

Again, they still need to inform their insurance company to make sure they have coverage through the process and for when it is completed. This avoids unpleasant surprises such as the cancellation of coverage or denial of a claim.

Shouldn't the contractor have his own insurance?

Yes and the homeowners should make sure the contractor's liability insurance is adequate and current. Generally speaking, the contractor's insurance and the homeowners' insurance combined will provide good coverage through the renovation project.

Could the work cause their premiums to increase?

Actually, it depends, which is why it's important to have the conversation with the insurance provider. In some cases, improvements — like upgrading the electrical system or replacing a weathered roof — may help lower insurance premiums. However, if the renovation increases the replacement value of the home — for example, with a new addition, or the installation of high-end granite countertops or expensive appliances — the homeowners' premium may go up.

Doing-it-yourself is very popular these days. What if a homeowner prefers to do the work himself?

I understand the appeal — typically major renovations mean major expense. But even if you do your own work, you still need to contact your insurance company to ensure you remain covered through the project and that your policy is updated accordingly. It may mean a bit more premium, but it could protect you during the project and once it's completed.

What if the renovation is complete and the homeowners neglected to inform their insurance company? They should do so as soon as possible to ensure they are adequately protected. Otherwise, they may discover when they have a claim that it is not fully covered, which could prove very costly.

Where can homeowners find more information about renovations and their home insurance?

They should speak to their insurance provider. However, more immediate answers can be found on the Desjardins General Insurance website: www.desjardinsgeneralinsurance.com.

How to incorporate a big screen TV in your home

(NC)—When designing your living space, one of the crucial decisions is where to put your TV and what size to purchase. With the trend toward big screen televisions in the home, these decisions are even more important. According to a recent Angus Reid survey on Canadian television preferences, almost one quarter - 24 per cent - of Canadians say a bigger size is the most important feature they're looking for in a new TV. So how to incorporate and still have your room look great? Here are some tips to follow:

• Evaluate your space to choose the right size television. You don't need a large area for a big TV. Advances in technology mean pixels are less visible in a high definition television, so you can sit closer and enjoy an immersive experience. Experts recommend sitting 1.5 x the diagonal length of your TV away from the screen. For example, an 80-inch TV requires only 10 feet of viewing distance.

• Integrate your big screen into the décor. Make the wall you place it on a feature wall using high-impact paint colours and textures. Choose bold, statement furniture pieces that create balance in the room.

• Don't fight the black. Choose black accents and accessories that play up today's beautiful sleek screens, helping them to blend in with the room.

• Add a splash of colour. Some of the more progressive manufacturers put the focus on a bright, vibrant picture – Sharp's Quattron models add a yellow subpixel to produce more colours than ever seen before on a television.

• Make it multi-functional. Display your favourite photos in a high-impact slideshow on your TV instead of hiding them away.

• Exercise your creativity. Today's big LED backlit TVs are so sleek and light you can move them around easily, so you can change your décor when the mood strikes you.

So go ahead, bring that big screen TV home. He'll be happy with the big size, she'll be happy with the sleek look that fits right in with her decor, and collectively, you'll get the most out of your television viewing experience and your home.

Quick tips for reducing energy consumption in summer

(NC)— Most Ontarians and Albertans think that the weather this summer will be hotter than normal, according to a recent survey conducted for Direct Energy by Angus Reid.

With that, Dave Walton, director of home ideas at Direct Energy is offering tips to help homeowners consume less:

Maintain your Gear - Schedule a maintenance appointment. Your air conditioner should be maintained annually to avoid costly equipment repairs and to ensure that you're cooling your home as efficiently as possible. Scheduled maintenance will help save you money on your energy bills.

Install Fresh Equipment - Install a programmable thermostat and set it based on your living patterns to control your energy usage. By raising the thermostat's temperature by five degrees Celsius at night and during the weekdays when no one's home, homeowners could save as much as 10 per cent on their energy bill. Also, consider installing ceiling fans - which are more energy efficient than turning on the air conditioner. Don't forget to keep track of the age and efficiency of your air conditioner. If your air conditioner operates at 10 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) then it might be time for an upgrade.

Implement Little Things - Close doors and windows so the cooled air stays indoors. Keeping drapes and blinds closed on sunny days can also save on electricity costs, as can shading windows from the outside. Also, turn off all unnecessary lights as this reduces the amount of hot air your A/C needs to cool. Keep blinds, carpets and furniture free of the vents, so you're A/C can operate efficiently and provide even air distribution. Close vents in less used rooms so you are not spending money cooling those spaces.

More information can be found online at www.directenergy.com or toll-free at 1-888-334-8221.