coverage Archives ~ The Military Move

Top 4 Doorbell Home Security Systems With Cameras

February 3, 2019 No Comments

When it comes to home security, it is difficult to know who’s knocking your door before you open it. There is nothing better than a doorbell, security system. After all, your peepholes can be physically blocked, wet, or even smudged which makes it difficult to know who is on the other side of your door.

Doorbell home security systems will help you know if the person at your door is your relative, the delivery guy, your neighbor or a stranger. Video doorbell security systems will help you eliminate these possibilities, providing you with the much-needed security in your home. Regardless of your location from home, you will be in the position to know the security status of your house.

Also, home security systems such as video doorbells provide you with an opportunity to talk and hear from the person at your door. Here are the different types of doorbell home security systems available on the market.

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The Ring Video Security Doorbell System

A Ring Video doorbell is the biggest name when it comes to home security, but this does not make them the best systems for every budget. Your doorbell security system options will depend on the budget and your installation preferences since the company offers both hard-wired Elite and Pro versions of their popular doorbells.

These security systems feature more sophisticated sensors and higher camera resolution. Also, the systems do not depend on batteries or the spotty wireless connections. If you are looking for sleek and recognizable doorbells that come with a worldwide connection of users and easy to use interface, this system might be the best doorbell for your needs.

Also, Ring provides you with both wireless and wired home security systems that can work on every home. These systems come with night vision, two-way talk, activity alerts, on-demand video and many more.

RCA Doorbell Home Security System

Most of these doorbell home security systems will provide you with a free trial on the cloud service while charging you a fee on a monthly basis. The RCA skips the recurring expenses in favor of the microSD storage.

These systems come with 16GB microSD cards and cameras to help you get started. The system’s memory slot can accommodate up to 128GB, which makes it a pretty versatile storage option. Other features are also pretty top-notch with a 3M sensor onboard to provide you with ultra-HD video recording and processing with excellent clarity.

The RCA security system allow you to utilize two-way talk features even when you are about to communicate with anyone at your door. Also, the motion-sensing capability of the system sends you notifications to your mobile device. The security system does not have similar brand recognition as the Ring or Nest, but its approach to video storage makes it a perfectly viable option for your home.

VTech Video Doorbell Security System

The VTech video security system is among the best wireless home doorbell systems, you can have in your home comparing its price and quality. It comes with two-in-one cordless systems and a color LCD which means you can connect it to your mobile device as well as digital cameras.

Another excellent feature of the VTech doorbell home security system is the snapshots that provide you with a click. It allows its users to snap several photos automatically. Also, it’s an opportunity to listen to audio live streams. The system’s cordless handsets let you see the person on the other side of your door without having to change your position. VTech doorbell home security systems work independently and permit mobility within your home.

Also, the system comes with an automatic night vision mode. You can adjust the videos to the contrast you desire and optimize the quality that will suit your unique needs and preferences. The system has a volume adjustment option that helps you control the quality of the sound and volume.

Homeowners can adjust the cameras to any angle they want which can be done using a joystick available in the interior of the security system. It has the best video camera, excellent sound system and everything you need in a doorbell.

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Nest Hello Doorbell Security System

If you currently have a Nest thermostat in your home or any other product from Google, you will probably be a fan of the Hello doorbell system. The Nest’s Hello doorbell home security system comes with facial recognition features, making it stand out from other options that only distinguish between non-human and human movement as well as detecting movement.

It also features integrated mobile technology and other essential features for managing your home security which includes scheduling and geofencing options to block notifications during certain hours of the day or about specific individuals.

Doorbell home security systems have become more popular over the past few years and are currently considered more of a necessity than a luxury. They are your home’s first line of defense, and you can remotely access them, monitor and control through your mobile devices.

About the Author

Jessica Kane is a writer for Nick’s Building Supply, Inc., the best place for custom made or replacement front doors online.

Finances, Housing

Unraveling the Mystery of Home Insurance

January 24, 2019 No Comments

Today, most real estate owners in Seattle choose to maintain homeowners insurance coverage. This important type of protection helps supply a safety net against many types of unexpected events causing damage to a residence, or harm to people on the property. It usually pays to shop carefully for this type of insurance.

Homeowners Insurance Protections Vary by State

The specific items covered by a homeowners insurance policy will differ sometimes based upon the company offering the policy, the location, and the level of coverage selected. Since states vary widely in the items lawmakers may require builders to install in residential properties, policy holders in some locations obtain more comprehensive protections.(1) In general, most homeowners insurance policies cover at least four basic categories(2) of damage:

Residential interiors;
Residential exteriors;
Liability protection for accidents occurring on the property;
Coverage for theft or vandalism-related property damage.

Interior and Exterior Property Damage

Homeowners insurance differs from mortgage insurance, although many homeowners pay both types of insurance along with monthly, quarterly, or annual mortgage payments. Mortgage insurance essentially protects a lender against a purchaser’s default.

By contrast, homeowners insurance helps compensate homeowners when unexpected calamities damage their property interests in the residence itself. For instance, if lightning strikes the home, homeowners insurance may help the homeowner pay for the cost of repairing roof damage.

It also covers repairing or replacing flooring impacted by leaking water. Most homeowners insurance policies maintain a claim limit of $100,000 per incident. (In some states, some companies do permit customers to purchase higher levels of insurance coverage.)

Liability And Theft Protections

One important item typically covered by homeowners insurance relates to a homeowner’s interest in protecting people who sustain injuries while visiting the property.

For example, if a tile slips from the roof and strikes a person delivering pizza to the residence, the property owner may face liability for the accident. A homeowners insurance policy usually offers some level of liability coverage protection in this type of situation.

Similarly, if a thief breaks into the home by battering down a door, a homeowners insurance policy will usually help the homeowner pay for replacing the damaged door and door lock.

Some policies will even cover intentional third party damage to the homeowner’s automobiles parked on the property.

Many homeowners insurance companies allow customers to purchase additional policy coverage riders to insure valued items of personal property on the premises against accidental damage or intentional thefts.

Read Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Carefully

In general, homeowners benefit by consulting about the provisions of their homeowners insurance policy with their insurance agent. The terms of individual policies sometimes vary significantly.

One policy might offer low premiums but include a hefty deductible. Another might cover one particular type of loss, such as damage to a roof caused by a toppling tree, but might exclude other types of casualties, such as wind damage to trees on the property during storms.

Homeowners sometimes discover they obtain more comprehensive protections by purchasing additional specified types of insurance coverage.

Additionally, consider that most homeowners insurance policies do exclude two broad categories of damage: Acts of War and Acts of God.(3)

The classification of a calamity within either of these designations may prevent an insured from obtaining coverage protection when disaster strikes.

For instance, if an invading army burns down the house (an Act of War) or an earthquake topples the garage (an Act of God), homeowners may not succeed in receiving compensation from their insurance company for their loss.

Why Policy Details Matter

While most policies do cover fire damage and water damage in general, the causative events sometimes determine whether or not a homeowner actually obtains compensation.

Usually, insurance companies will not compensate the insured for losses caused by floods, seismic activity, power failures, or accidents resulting from neglected property conditions. If you’d like to receive specific coverage for a potential hazard, clarifying this issue with an experienced insurance agent in advance may help prevent misunderstandings and confusion later.

Additionally, homeowners insurance closely resembles automotive insurance in one important respect: people who file repeated claims frequently experience difficulty obtaining coverage.

From a practical standpoint, a homeowner may discover handling small accidental losses out of pocket helps keep homeowners insurance premiums more affordable.

**Insurance companies do not have to sell policies to customers who pose a high risk of becoming claimants. This situation sometimes impacts a customer’s ability to qualify for home financing.

The Process of Filing a Homeowners Insurance Claim

After a homeowner discovers accidental damage to the property (or to visitors on the property), the insured typically files a claim by contacting the insurance company.

In many situations, the insurance firm will assign a property adjuster to investigate the underlying fact situation. This process might involve an insurance investigator or adjuster visiting the premises and photographing the damage.

When an insurance company approves a claim, the firm pays the insured property owner an amount determined by the terms of the policy.

An insured receives this payment less the cost of the deductible. In some cases, the insurer will also specify property mitigation requirements. (For example, insurance policies for commercial realty sometimes require a property owner to obtain water remediation or fire remediation services in order to receive full compensation.

Conceivably, in some states, insurance companies may include clauses requiring homeowners to obtain these remediation services, too.)

Research Homeowners Insurance Carefully

It usually proves prudent for homeowners to discuss their policy provisions in detail with their insurance agent before making a purchasing decision.

By shopping carefully for coverage, you’ll often locate the best available policy provisions for your circumstances. Individual homeowners insurance needs vary, so evaluating the most significant property risks in your location with your agent in light of your unique needs usually makes financial sense.

Helpful Resources to Continue Research:

Looking to sell your home? Use these tips to help you sell from area realtors.

If you found this advice, or any of my advice helpful, please consider buying from one of my affiliates at no additional cost to you and supporting The Military Move. When you click and make a purchase within 24 hours (at no additional charge), we receive a small donation. Thank you!

About the Author

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Scaffold Store, the favorite and trusted scaffold supplier of the largest contractors.

Family, Finances, Spouses

Did You Know This About SGLI

June 29, 2017 2 Comments

As many know, I recently had another addition to our family. Naturally for me, that meant I needed to update my life insurance policy to add my daughter and seek out more coverage. This started to get me thinking about my husband’s SGLI (as it is his only life insurance policy).

Do you know all the facts about SGLI (Servicemembers Group Life Insurance)?

One thing as a young adult that many of us overlook is life insurance. However, if you have a family or your active duty member is the sole provider (or perhaps a main contributor), you want to prepare for the absolute worst case scenario. The military offers SGLI (which ALL members should take in my opinion because it’s dirt cheap for the amount of protection is covers).

Let’s talk about why this is important.

Eligibility

Service members of all five branches (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy) are automatically eligible for full coverage. This is great because after passing all the necessary medical exams just to get into the service, they do not have to do anything else to receive coverage – unlike outside coverage providers.

SGLI Coverage

The amount of coverage is up to $400,000 (or as little as $50,000 and up in $50k increments).

What does this mean for your monthly paycheck?

For $50,000 – it is $3.50 (your daily cup of coffee).
For $400,000 – it is $28.00 (one family meal to a fast food restaurant).

Why take $400,000? Mortgage, bills, and college tuition to name a few.

Now while many spouses already know about SGLI, you may not realize that this insurance does not follow your Active Duty member out of service. It only is covered up to 120 days after separation, unless the member becomes disabled. In that circumstance, they can apply for a 2-year extension.

It is very important for the service member to take advantage of VGLI (Veterans Group Life Insurance) within 120 to 240 days after separation. If they do, they do not have to answer additional medical questions which could increase your premiums A LOT!

Let me explain – most people go into the service around 18-21 years of age. They are healthy and in good shape. Fast forward 20 years to retirement, now you are 40 years old, marriage and baby weight has set in, working out isn’t the top priority, etc. Outside life insurance increases rates for each year of age – which is why it is important for you – SPOUSE – to get your coverage earlier rather than later. That health questionnaire could be the difference between premium rates and most people are healthier earlier in life!

VGLI is an excellent option for retired or separated members that want to continue their life insurance. Since the age of the member has increased – the rates will increase too. You can check those rates here. A $400,000 policy will cost between $68-88 per month for someone in their 40’s and will increase over time, whereas a $100,000 policy will cost $17-22 per month for the same person.

Why VGLI?

Since rates increase with age, rates can change based on gender, health, and lifestyle choices. When you rollover the SGLI to VGLI – your rates are based on age only. For those that use tobacco products – this is important because it will be very difficult to find a plan that compares with similar rates. Additionally, if you sign up within the allotted window, they will not give you a medical exam or investigate your health. You will not find this for most policies.

I can tell you that I was just asked simple health questions that included whether I use tobacco products and whether or not I am under the care of a physician for certain medical conditions or PTSD. If any of these apply to you, this is another reason to consider rolling your plan over.

Additional Coverage

One thing I wanted to ensure was that I had enough coverage on myself in case something happened to me. For the active duty member, you may find that $400,000 is not enough – you have a larger mortgage, multiple kids, etc. You can layer your coverage with outside coverage from USAA (I have mine through them and they are a great policy), MetLife, New York Life, or even your bank or insurance company may offer them.

To layer coverage, you will need to have a medical exam done to determine what premium you will pay. If the service member uses tobacco products, this is a HUGE factor on why they should NOT decline SGLI – because the premiums are through the metaphorical roof!! For real, not joking! I suggest purchasing a policy the earlier the better due to premiums and health changes.

End Thoughts

The whole point of life insurance is to ensure that your family is taken care of in the event that something happens to you or your spouse. This is not professional advice, just advice from one military spouse and mom. Speak with a professional about your options that are best for your family.

About the Author

Kelsey Ramirez is a Real Estate Broker in western Washington. She is also a veteran elementary school teacher, military wife, and mom to two daughters. She is the founder of The Military Move, a military-based website to help families in the PCS process. Kelsey loves to travel, write, and create amazing content. She has her Masters in Technology, which she uses to learn all new things digital.

With three decades of military support, Kelsey’s mission is to help new and existing military families in their unique adventures through all military topics including PCSing, budgeting, school choice and rights, housing, and especially just being a military spouse.