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Published with permission from RISMedia.

Homeowners insurance companies routinely review policies to decide whether to renew or cancel them. Your insurer could decide to cancel your policy for several reasons, but you might be able to convince it to reconsider.

Too Many Claims
A homeowners insurance company might cancel a policy if a homeowner filed several claims in a short period of time and the company paid out more than it collected in premiums. If the claims were related to a common problem, you might be able to persuade the company to keep you as a customer if you made changes or repairs to address the underlying issue and prevent future claims. The company might also be willing switch you to a policy that excluded that specific peril or that had a higher deductible.

Unsafe Conditions
If you put off maintenance for so long that your house is dangerous, the insurance company might be unwilling to cover you. The risk of damage to the house, its contents and people could simply be too great for the company to accept, unless you offered to make major repairs to make the house safe.

Change in Risk
Perhaps you made a change to your property that increased the risk of an accident. For example, if you installed a swimming pool, a child could drown, which could result in a liability claim against the insurance company. The company might be willing to continue to insure your home if you installed a fence with a locked gate and alarm around the pool.

Missed Payments
If you havent paid your premiums on time, the insurance company might decide to cancel your policy. If you lost your job or had an unforeseen medical problem that left you unable to work, the insurer might be willing to work out a payment plan and keep you as a customer.

Illegal Conduct
An insurance company also considers the behavior of policyholders. If you have a criminal record, the company might be concerned about damage or liability related to future illegal acts that you might commit on the property. If you caused intentional damage to your home to file an insurance claim and got caught, the company could cancel your policy.

Risky Location
Sometimes an insurance company makes individual policy decisions by looking at characteristics of a wider area. For example, if your home and others in the neighborhood were burglarized recently, the insurance company might consider the entire area too risky to insure. It might be willing to keep you as a customer, however, if you installed a home security system.

Talk to Your Insurer
If your homeowners insurance company has notified you that your policy will be canceled, call and discuss the reason for the impending cancellation and find out if theres anything you can do to change the companys decision. If not, youll need to start looking for coverage with another company before your current policy ends.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are the defining features of French Provincial homes…

Stone, Brick and Slate

The exterior of this architectural style can be immediately recognized by its stone or brick faade and slate roof.

Symmetrical Windows

Multi-paned windows are commonly featured in French Provincial style architecture and are typically arranged symmetrically.

Rustic Warmth

Exposed wood beams, weathered finishes and wrought-iron accents are all great additions.

Light and Airy Colors

Complementing the natural materials, a light color palette plays a major role in creating the casual elegance thats highly sought after.

Furniture and Decor

When decorating in French Provincial style, the goal is to achieve a sense of simple romanticism throughout each room.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Wellness is a hot topic these days, specifically when it comes to home design. Luxury homeowners have come to expect their living environment to promote both physical and mental well-being, and theyre willing to pay top dollar for it. If youre looking to transform your abode into your own personal sanctuary, here are a few ways to create a healthy and relaxing environment.

Circadian Lighting
All of our screens”phones, tablets, laptops and televisions”emit blue light that tells our brains its time to be awake. To counteract this, there are now a variety of different smart lightbulbs available that dont give off any blue light, while also syncing with your circadian rhythm and helping to regulate melatonin production.

Spa-Like Bathrooms
Having your own private spa at home is a fool-proof way to experience instant relaxation. These days, features go far beyond having a walk-in rain shower, as homeowners are installing infrared saunas, massage rooms, and more, to help keep in touch with their bodies and ensure they feel their best.

Neutral Colors
While a splashy palette is fun and exciting, theres a reason why you dont see too many wellness retreats designed with a vibrant color scheme. Neutral colors tend to be more soothing and help put us at ease.

Biophilic Design
It may sound very scientific, but biophilic design is simply about creating living spaces that connect to the outdoors. Focused on a balance between sustainability and well-being, its being embraced by those who feel at peace in nature and want to preserve it.

Healthy Materials
Unfortunately, some products commonly used in home building can be pretty nasty. Be sure to use materials that are free of formaldehyde, phthalates and volatile organic compounds (known as VOCs) when doing work on your home. The good news is that there are plenty of nontoxic materials that are safe to use.

Purification and Filtration
Having a water filtration system throughout the house ensures that every fixture is running clean, potable water that will leave your skin and hair feeling healthier. Whether you have allergies, respiratory issues, or simply want to breathe air thats free of contaminants and pollutants, an air purifier is another sound investment to promote well-being in your home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are four tips to ensure that your homes surroundings are on full display.

Oversized Windows

It goes without saying, but more windows means more views. They frame an unforgettable backdrop and bring the scenery into your house.

Thoughtful Landscaping

Your landscaping should enhance the scenery, not take away from it, while also maintaining privacy.

Decorate Accordingly

Low-slung furniture can be useful to avoid creating obstructions in a room, and the color palette that you choose should complement the scenery.

Focus on Seating Arrangements

Try to create seating areas that capture the best viewpoints in the house.

Published with permission from RISMedia.