It's no secret that homeownership comes with many undeniable perks. However, the "American Dream" also comes with its fair share of unexpected problems (and costs) - many of which you can't see. And if there's one thing most homeowners can mutually agree on, it's that out of sight should not mean out of mind when it comes to property maintenance. After all, some of the costliest potential home repairs lie buried below the surface. We're talking about your home's service lines. 

Like clockwork, when this time of year rolls around, the importance of community involvement and giving back takes center stage. But what if the blending of those two concepts could guide our actions all year round? See, the beautiful thing about community betterment is that it's needed - and made possible - every day thanks to generous people willing to volunteer their time and voice to the causes that so desperately need one.

It's no secret that COVID-19 related closures and restrictions have impacted our country's many small businesses in numerous challenging ways. The global pandemic has thrown one too many hurdles in the path of nearly every small business owner, constantly testing their ability to profitably adjust their business model and keep their passion alive month after month. Although all business and economic stimulation are positive during this time, small businesses offer a crucial aid to local, state, and national economies.

What's on your "hot list" to read this week? If we had to guess, we'd bet your insurance policy probably didn't make the cut. After all, it's filled with confusing terms that can be rather intimidating to even the most seasoned reader. However, there are several important terms in your policy you should become familiar with that have the power to impact your coverage in a big way: Depreciation, Actual Cash Value (ACV), and Replacement Cost Value (RCV).

It's the American Dream: Buying a home, putting down roots in a place you love, and building long-term equity to be proud of. Luckily for today's American Dreamers, choosing to take the home-buying path is more attainable and affordable than ever before.

We take notice when you take care. At Cornerstone, we believe proactive homeowners and drivers deserve to be rewarded for their safe habits. That's why we carefully crafted a long list of unique policy discounts designed to bring out the best in every CNI policy. Check out all the ways you can save at CNI.

We're excited to let our friends in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Illinois know: we have officially launched our long-awaited homeowners product-line for you to conveniently package with your Cornerstone Auto policy! 

The long road ahead doesn't have to be scary. Enjoy the ride with an auto policy armed and ready for any unexpected pit stops in your journey.

Fact: Floods are the number one most frequently occurring natural disaster in the United States, and the most costly, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This statistic probably comes as no surprise, given the Midwest's many notorious flooding disasters over the years. But flooding events affect every part of the country, and uninsured homeowners in low-to-moderate risk areas are often unprotected against severe losses, leaving them with expensive out-of-pocket repair costs.

Much like parents try to prevent scrapes and bruises on their kiddos, homeowners do the same when it comes to their property. Nobody wants to see a big, blaring ouchie on their home, especially the kind that isn't budget-friendly to fix. But we all know by now that life (and Mother Nature) is highly unpredictable.

While we may not be able to control every weather event or issue to pop up at home base, we can control how well we plan for them. Keeping the three most common homeowners insurance claims in mind, let's jump into the most effective preventative measures every property owner can take to minimize or altogether avoid the damage of an unwanted what-if.

Who doesn't love a good package? Ask any Amazon customer, and they'll agree. If you online-shop from time to time at Jeff Bezos' highly addictive virtual superstore of all the things, you can relate to the picture we're about to paint. You come home to see a brown box stamped with that iconic grin disguised as an arrow lying on the porch, and you're overcome by child-like joy. As you rip the tape off that box and lay eyes on the steal of a deal you literally just ordered last night (shoutout next-day shipping), it's gratifying.