Spring has sprung, and it’s time to make sure your home gets some much needed attention now that the cold winter months are behind us. Spring cleaning and maintenance aren’t just good for shaking the dust out of your home, but also for preventing unnecessary accidents or the need for expensive insurance claims.

Taking care of your home is a big job that takes some time and energy. Make it a little easier with our checklists of what to do inside and outside of your home. In a few weekends, you could have a cleaner, more well-maintained home allowing you to enjoy the spring without worrying about what needs to get done.

Over the past few years, you may have noticed that more bicyclists are on the road than ever before. It’s not your imagination. In 2014, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 900,000 people biked to work. That number doesn’t include the people who jump on their bikes when the weather warms up or the kids in neighborhoods who bike to school.

The road can be a dangerous place for cyclists. A helmet and knee pads aren’t the same thing as the safety of a car or a seatbelt. When you’re out on the road, you can do your part to help keep everyone on two wheels a little safer. Keep these things in mind to safely share the road.

When you bought your homeowners insurance policy, you chose a replacement cost policy. If the worst ever happened, you didn’t want to worry about how to rebuild or replace your home or belongings.

Then a storm hit. Your roof was damaged so badly that it had to be replaced. The estimate you received was $10,000. You filed your claim and waited for the check. When you received it, it was significantly lower than $10,000 – closer to $5,000. What gives?

You’re dealing with withheld depreciation.

Mistakes happen. In your case, you were in an accident and found to be driving under the influence. The whole situation was scary and stressful for everyone involved. Now you’re ready to get your driver’s license back, and the court is requiring an SR-22 form from an insurance company first.

There’s just one problem. You don’t own a car.

What are you supposed to do?

Life happens so fast. When things go well, you feel pretty lucky. When they don’t, you wonder if you’re the unluckiest person on the planet. Accidents, storm damage, theft, and even lawsuits can make you feel like you have no luck at all.

Having a good partner to help you navigate all the ways you can protect yourself and your family doesn’t have to be left to luck. Work with an independent insurance agent who can answer your questions and help you plan for all the unlucky moments in life.

Everybody makes mistakes, but they don’t need to define who you are. Once you’ve dealt with the DUI, court, any fines you have to pay the state, and losing your license, you may be ready to think about your auto insurance again.

Plenty of landlords are making renters insurance a requirement these days. Before you think about trying to skip out on this important coverage, think again. Renters insurance covers much more than you realize.

If you’re willing to make some changes around your home and in your life, you can easily qualify for discounts that will save you money on your Charlotte homeowner’s insurance policy. Take a look at these often overlooked ways to reduce your rates and qualify for discounts.