Insurance Against Pet Theft

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For many, having a pet means welcoming another member to the family. No matter if it’s a cat, dog or something more exotic, pets are exciting and fun to have in the home. However, having a pet can become stressful, especially when working to protect them from becoming lost or stolen. Unfortunately, many pets each year are victims of theft; but there are ways in which pet owners can insure both them and their pets against the shock of pet theft.

As such, pet insurance is a popular option, as many people are choosing to insure their pets against illness, medical treatment and accidents that can end up costing lots of money in vet bills.

Many different options and coverage plans are provided for pets and their owners that are affordable and can help dissuade high costs from affecting the type of treatments pets could unexpectedly need.

Research has shown that pet owners in the UK in particular are embracing pet insurance in order to ensure that their pets are adequately cared for. Experts note that the industry has boomed over in recent years, and that many believe this is due to the dedication of owners towards their pets.

However, this type of insurance reaches beyond health and can also be applied to situations where a pet is lost or has been stolen. Indeed, in situations where a pet has been stolen, it’s no doubt that owners will be shocked.

Insurance against pet theft means that owners won’t have to worry about the costs associated with searching for a lost or stolen pet. Many coverage plans ensure that advertising fees and offered rewards are standard and that pet owners won’t have to bear the brunt of that cost.

Unfortunately, recent studies have found that pet theft has increased and now surpasses iPod and phone thefts in number. In some cases, pet insurance will provide money to cover the cost of your animal if it is never recovered.

There are also further precautions you can take, which include making sure your pet wears a collar and identity tag bearing your contact details, and also keeping all relevant documents in a secure, safe place in the event that you are required to facilitate identification if your pet is recovered.

Of course, there is much to take into consideration before choosing to purchase pet insurance. But, it pays to understand what options you have available in the event that your pet does become a victim of theft.

Homeowner Association Services Help HOAs Manage Communities

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The value of a Home Owners Association (HOA) depends on how it is managed. In some cases, an HOA hires a company that specializes in HOA management to oversee the financial, administrative, and maintenance services of the community – an arrangement that allows board members to spend more time dialoguing with the community. If your HOA is considering hiring a company to assist it with community management, and you are curious about what the company will do, below are examples of homeowner association services that HOA management companies commonly provide:

Financial Management

Many board members lack the time and training to manage their community’s finances effectively. HOA management companies solve this problem by dedicating trained financial experts to managing the finances – a process that could involve the following services, among others:

  • Addressing homeowner billing inquiries
  • Collecting monthly assessment fees
  • Collecting late assessment fees
  • Managing vendor accounts
  • Preparing and submitting the annual budget
  • Handling of yearly taxes

Having an HOA management company handle your community’s finances brings two intangible benefits: it places board members above suspicion, and it removes the prospect of the board members collecting late fees from – or imposing liens on – the property of their neighbors. 

Administrative Management

Depending on the number of members it has and the number of services it retains, an HOA could require the same administrative resources as a business – a scenario that most boards aren’t prepared to handle. An HOA management company can perform the following administrative management services, among others: 

  • Recording the minutes of board meetings
  • Organizing and maintaining all HOA files
  • Obtaining bids for requested services
  • Preparing and distributing important information to residents
  • Hiring and supervising temporary employees
  • Coordinating neighborhood review processes

As they perform administrative homeowner association services, HOA management companies are active in the community: attending meetings, helping to perform assessments, and dialoging with board members about community development.

Maintenance Management

Property maintenance is a key to sustaining a community’s real estate value and social attractiveness. An HOA management company can perform the following maintenance management services, among others:

  • Conducting property and building inspections
  • Answering emergency calls from residents 24/7
  • Administering payroll to maintenance employees
  • Preparing work orders for maintenance jobs
  • Awarding contracts for projects after board approval
  • Monitoring the progress and quality of maintenance projects

Without the assistance of an HOA management company, a community can lack critical maintenance services that are necessary for neighborhood upkeep, as well as a way to monitor the services it has. 

Conclusion 

Not all HOAs retain an HOA management company, but those that do typically experience smoother, more efficient, and better-organized community management. They also experience a higher degree of community development, because the company has the resources, time, and training that make the difference. If your HOA retains a company that provides association management services, chances are that your community will benefit significantly in terms of its finances, administrative functions, and maintenance upkeep.