After seeing the destruction left by Hurricane Irene, I wanted to share this article to make sure we are all prepared for when disaster strikes! -What adds insult to injury after watching your cherished home become decimated by fire or some other disaster? Being homeless while waiting for your insurance payment, then waiting while your house is being repaired or rebuilt. If your home insurance coverage does not include "loss of use" (also called "coverage D" or "additional living expenses coverage") you may be not only be out of a home temporarily if disaster strikes; you may also be out of a lot of money. Not only will you still be paying your mortgage, but there are the added rent or hotel bills, boarding for your pets, and restaurant meals that come with being displaced. Make sure you're covered: A typical home insurance policy includes basic types of coverage including: the dwelling itself, other buildings on the property, personal proper...

HUD has announced a precedent-setting agreement with Cornerstone Mortgage Company that resolves Fair Housing complaints that it denied or curtailed mortgages to families in which women were pregnant. Under terms of the agreement, Cornerstone will pay $15,000 to Dr. Elizabeth Budde, who said she was turned down for a mortgage even though she said she would return to work after giving birth. The company also has agreed to set up a $750,000 fund to compensate other women who were victims of discrimination. As the settlement was announced, HUD said it would initiate similar lawsuits against Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp. (MGIC) and other lenders. “Pregnancy is not a basis to deny or delay a loan – it’s that simple,” said HUD Assistant Secretary John Trasvina. This informative article brought to you by Old Republic National Insurance.

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