January 1st feels like a fresh slate. While many of us focus on hitting the gym or saving money, there is another area of life that deserves a resolution or two: the protection of your most valuable assets. Your home, car, boat, and RV represent significant investments. They are the backdrop to your family memories and your adventures.

This year, why not add "peace of mind" to your list of goals? Taking proactive steps to maintain and review your insured property doesn't just keep them in good shape; it can save you significant money and stress if you ever need to file a claim. Let's look at some practical, high-impact resolutions for every major asset in your life.

Resolutions for the Homeowner: Protecting Your Sanctuary

Your home is likely your biggest financial asset. It requires more than just a mortgage payment to stay secure; it needs active care.

1. Create a Digital Home Inventory

If a fire or severe storm damaged your home tomorrow, could you list every item in your living room from memory? Most people can't. This year, resolve to create a comprehensive home inventory. Walk through each room with your smartphone and take a video. Open drawers, look in closets, and narrate what you see.

Upload this video to a secure cloud storage service. If you ever face a total loss, this digital record will be invaluable for your insurance claim, ensuring you get the full replacement value for your belongings.

2. Schedule Your Systems Check-Up

We often ignore our home's vital systems until they break. Make a resolution to schedule professional maintenance for your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems early in the year.

• HVAC: Change filters regularly and have a pro clean the coils.
• Plumbing: Check for silent leaks under sinks and around the water heater.
• Roof: Inspect for loose shingles or flashing damage after winter storms pass.

Preventative maintenance shows insurers that you are a responsible homeowner, which is crucial if questions about "wear and tear" vs. "accidental damage" ever arise.

3. Review Your Liability Limits

Did you install a pool last summer? Did you get a trampoline for the kids? Or maybe a new puppy joined the family? These changes increase your liability risk. Call your insurance agent to discuss whether your current liability coverage is sufficient. You might find that an umbrella policy is a smart, affordable addition for the new year.

Resolutions for the Road: Auto Care and Safety

Cars are our daily workhorses, yet we often neglect them until a warning light pops up on the dashboard.

4. Commit to the Maintenance Schedule

It sounds simple, but sticking to your manufacturer’s maintenance schedule is the best way to extend the life of your vehicle. Resolve to stop delaying oil changes and tire rotations. Proper maintenance doesn't just keep the car running; it preserves its value. If you are in an accident, a well-maintained car is clearly worth more than one that has been neglected.

5. Audit Your Auto Policy

Life changes quickly. Did your teenager head off to college without their car? You might be eligible for a "student away at school" discount. Did you start working from home permanently? Your annual mileage might have dropped significantly, which could lower your premium.

Take twenty minutes this January to review your policy declaration page. ensuring your coverage matches your current driving habits is a resolution that pays for itself.

Resolutions for the Water: Boat Ownership Done Right

For boat owners, the off-season is the perfect time to plan for a safe return to the water.

6. The Winter Inspection

If your boat is currently winterized, don't just ignore it until spring. Resolve to check on it periodically. Look for signs of pest intrusion (mice love winter boat storage) or moisture buildup that could cause mold. If your boat is stored outdoors, ensure the cover remains tight and secure against snow or wind.

7. Update Your Safety Gear

Safety regulations change, and equipment expires. Check the dates on your fire extinguishers and flares. Inspect life jackets for rips or wear. Resolving to upgrade your safety gear before the first launch of the season ensures you are compliant with the law and, more importantly, safe on the water.

8. Verify Navigational Limits

Planning a big trip this year? Maybe heading further offshore or towing the boat to a new state? Check your boat insurance policy for navigational limits. Some policies restrict where you can take your vessel. Knowing these boundaries now prevents a nasty surprise if you have an incident outside your covered area.

Resolutions for the Adventurer: RV Care

Your RV is your home away from home, and it faces the unique challenges of being both a vehicle and a dwelling.

9. Inspect Seals and Seams

Water is the enemy of an RV. Leaks can cause thousands of dollars in rot damage before you even notice them. Make a resolution to inspect the caulking and seals around your RV’s roof, windows, and slide-outs. This simple visual check can prevent catastrophic water damage that might not be fully covered by insurance if deemed "maintenance negligence."

10. Check Your Tires (and Spares)

RV tires age out before they wear out. Even with good tread, tires older than 5-7 years can be dangerous due to dry rot. Check the DOT date codes on your sidewalls. Don't forget the spare! Resolving to replace aging tires keeps you safe on the highway and prevents blowouts that can damage the RV body.

11. Review Personal Property Coverage

Unlike a car, your RV is full of stuff—camping gear, electronics, clothes, and kitchenware. Does your RV insurance policy cover these personal items adequately? Often, standard limits are low. If you travel with expensive cameras or computers, resolve to adjust your personal property limits to match what you actually carry on board.

The Universal Resolution: The Insurance Review

The single most impactful resolution you can make for all these assets is to schedule an annual review with your insurance agent.

Policies aren't "set it and forget it" documents. Inflation impacts the rebuilding cost of your home. Market values for used cars fluctuate. Your personal net worth grows, necessitating better liability protection.

This January, pick up the phone. A thirty-minute conversation can reveal gaps in coverage you didn't know you had or discounts you are missing out on. It’s not just about paying bills; it’s about ensuring that the life you’ve built is protected against the unexpected.

Ready to make your insurance work smarter for you this year? Contact Garzor Insurance today for a personalized insurance review. Call 321.206.8035 or visit our website to get a quote and discover how we can help protect what matters most to you.

Here is to a safe, secure, and happy New Year!