If you watch the news or see pictures from around the world, you'll likely notice the growing number of major natural disasters occurring around the country and the world. These include an increased number of hurricanes and floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hailstorms, and droughts than in previous years.

During grade school and college, students are often asked to write research papers or essays on a specific topic or book, and it's usually clear to teachers who did their research and who didn't. Those who take the time to do thorough research typically earn better grades because they have more information and understand the topic better. These same school lessons can apply to us as consumers now, because taking the time to do our research can result in smarter purchases and better investments.

Like it or not, social media has completely transformed the way many people across the world live their lives, communicate with others, and do business. It's common to see people sharing nearly every aspect of their day online, but it's important to use good judgment in what you share with the world, or you could find yourself at risk. The focus of today's Aegis blog post is looking at some of the social media activity that can put you, your family, or even your business at risk and what can be done to lower those risks.

Parents can attest to the fact that there is always something new to teach kids, whether it's about table manners, how to change a tire, resolving a conflict with a friend, or how to save money. Although many parents see the benefits of teaching their kids about money at an early age, they do not always include lessons about the other kinds of financial responsibilities that come with adulthood, such as paying and filing taxes, buying or renting a place to live, or the importance of insurance.

One of the universal truths about life is that there are often changes ahead, whether they're planned or not. Most of these changes involve our personal relationships, family, or career, meaning they have a lot of significance and impact for years to come. However, big life changes can also influence our financial situation, making it necessary for us to adjust our insurance coverage accordingly.

It's common to collect things over time, whether they're sentimental, part of a hobby, or have a high resale value. If your collection is valuable because of its size, uniqueness, or resale value on the open market, it's important to have your collectibles properly insured in the event of a disaster such as theft or damages. In today's Aegis blog post, we'll look at some of the collections people might have, common assumptions people make about insuring their collectibles, and what kinds of insurance can best protect them.

It's common for individuals and families in the market for a new home to start their research in the spring. Many will closely examine floor plans and home amenities, subdivisions and deed restrictions, nearby school districts, shopping and entertainment centers, and traffic conditions. However, there are three other important factors to consider that can impact your future home's property value, as well as insurance coverage needs. In today's Aegis blog post, we'll examine these three additional factors to research before buying a new home.

We're a social society, and we love to celebrate life's biggest events surrounded by our closest friends and family, whether it's a birthday, graduation, baby shower, family reunion, or a fun crawfish boil with friends. However, hosting a party can come with certain risks, and these risks, if left unchecked, can lead to accidents and potential liability claims. Rather than risk loved ones or close friends getting hurt, homeowners can mitigate these risks through a few proactive steps.

While students are taught history, science, grammar, and math in school, few ever get an opportunity to learn about real world information needed as an adult, such as how to file income taxes, the ins and outs of a mortgage, or how insurance works. As a result, many young people leave high school or college without understanding what kind of insurance they need, how it works, or how it can help in the event of a disaster. In addition, many individuals, families, and business owners can end up getting the wrong kind of coverage for their needs.

Disasters and life events always bring with them lessons for the future, whether you're directly impacted or have just narrowly avoided a disaster. These lessons may come from natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey, life events like medical emergencies, or accidents like a car crash. In these situations, consumers can learn something about their financial security and protection when it's needed most. One of the more common things people learn after a disaster is that they might have a gap in their insurance coverage.