Happy October! This month's update brings you helpful advice, timely insights, and resources you need to know as the month continues.

What's included: Fire prevention and your home insurance, key dates to remember, Dave's Corner: Side Hustle Ideas to Earn Extra Money, and a few great reads for the month.

Every October, National Fire Prevention Month serves as a reminder that home fires are one of the most common and devastating disasters American families face. Fire departments in the United States responded to 344,600 fires in 2023 alone, and more than 2,890 people lost their lives. The NFPA reports an average of 328,590 house fires annually from 2019 to 2023, and a fire department responds to a fire every 24 seconds in America.

The good news is that most home fires are preventable, and knowing both your fire safety basics and your insurance coverage can make all the difference.

The Leading Causes of Home Fires

Knowing what causes fires is the first step toward preventing them:

• Cooking and heating are the leading causes of home fires and fire injuries in the United States.

• Kitchen, electrical, and heater fires are the three most common types of residential fires.

• Fire is the third leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14.

• In 2024, over 61,000 wildfires scorched more than 8.8 million acres across the United States, a growing concern for homeowners in fire-prone regions.

Simple habits go a long way. Stay in the kitchen while cooking, keep flammable materials away from heat sources, and have your heating system inspected before winter arrives.

Smoke Alarms: Your First Line of Defense

Roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms, no working smoke alarms, or carbon monoxide detectors in place. Many households have inaccurate perceptions about the age, functionality, and maintenance requirements of their alarms, making regular testing more important than ever.

Quick smoke alarm checklist:

• Test smoke alarms every month.

• Replace batteries every six months.

• Replace the entire alarm every eight to 10 years.

• Install alarms on every level of your home, inside every sleeping room, and outside each sleeping area.

• Consider a combined smoke and carbon monoxide alarm for added protection.

What Your Homeowners Insurance Covers — and What It Doesn't

Fire is one of the most comprehensive claim scenarios under a standard homeowners insurance policy. Here's what's typically covered:

• Your home's structure — dwelling coverage pays to repair or rebuild your home, including attached structures like a garage.

• Personal belongings — furniture, electronics, clothing, and other items are typically covered between 50% and 70% of your home's dwelling coverage limit. So if your home is covered for $400,000, your personal belongings are likely covered between $200,000 and $280,000.

• Detached structures — sheds, fences, and detached garages are typically covered under "other structures" coverage.

• Additional living expenses — if your home becomes uninhabitable while repairs are underway, your policy typically covers hotel stays, meals, and other costs above your normal expenses.

• Smoke damage — yes, smoke damage is typically covered, even if the smoke came from a neighbor's fire rather than your own.

A few important exceptions to know:

• High-value items like jewelry, fine art, and collectibles may have sub-limits under your standard policy. If you own items that exceed those limits, a scheduled personal property endorsement is worth considering.

• Fires caused by neglect, such as ignoring known faulty wiring, may be denied by your insurer.

• If you live in a wildfire-prone area like California, Oregon, or Texas, your standard policy may have exclusions or limitations. Homes in high-fire risk areas may not even qualify for standard fire damage coverage, in which case a Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan policy may be an option.

• The average fire restoration cost in 2025 ranges from $3,083 to $52,031, with a national average of $27,258. This makes it critical to know whether your policy covers replacement cost or actual cash value.

• It's also important to review whether your dwelling coverage reflects the current cost to rebuild your home, not just what you paid for it, as construction costs and home values fluctuate.

A Quick October Fire Safety and Insurance Checklist

• Test all smoke alarms, and replace any that aren't working.

• Check that smoke alarms are installed on every level of your home and in every sleeping area.

• Have your heating system inspected before the cold months arrive.

• Review your homeowners policy to confirm your dwelling coverage reflects the current cost to rebuild your home.

• Check your personal property limits, and consider a scheduled endorsement for high-value items.

• If you live in a wildfire-prone area, talk to your agent about whether your standard coverage is adequate.

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking, and keep flammable materials away from heat sources.

Fire Prevention Month is a great reminder that a little preparation goes a long way, both in keeping your home safe and making sure your coverage is ready if the unexpected happens. If you have any questions about your policy or want to make sure you're fully protected heading into fall and winter, I'm happy to help.

Here are a few notable dates and reminders to keep in mind this month!

• October 10th is World Mental Health Day. A global observance dedicated to raising awareness and challenging the stigma surrounding mental health. Take a moment today to check in on someone you care about, have an open conversation, or simply prioritize your own well-being.
• October 14th is National I Love You Day. A simple but meaningful reminder to tell the people in your life how much they mean to you. Send a text, make a call, or show up. It doesn't have to be grand to matter.
• October 20th is World Osteoporosis Day. A day dedicated to raising awareness about bone health and prevention. A good reminder to talk to your doctor about bone density screenings, especially if you have a family history or risk factors.
• October 29th is National Cat Day. A day all about celebrating the love, companionship, and personality our feline friends bring into our lives—while also raising awareness for the many cats still waiting for their forever homes.
  Whether you adopt, volunteer at a local shelter, or simply spoil your own fur baby with a little extra love, it’s a great day to celebrate cats everywhere. 
  And while you’re protecting the ones you love, don’t forget about pet insurance! Pet insurance can help with unexpected veterinary expenses and give you added peace of mind when your fur baby needs care.
• October 31st is Halloween. Costumes, candy, carved pumpkins, and spooky fun — one of the most beloved nights of the year. Whether you're taking little ones trick-or-treating or handing out candy from the porch, enjoy every moment of it.

Side Hustle Ideas to Earn Extra Money

A side hustle is any work you do outside your regular job to earn extra income. The best ones match your skills, fit your schedule, and don’t land you in debt. Whether you want to pay off debt faster, build savings, or just get more breathing room in your budget, the right side hustle can make a real difference.

• There are 44 side hustle ideas in this list—from food delivery and dog walking to bookkeeping and wedding DJ work.
• Quick side hustles like Uber, DoorDash and Instacart can get you earning within days of signing up.
• Higher-skill hustles like transcription and IT consulting tend to pay the most.
• Once the money starts coming in, add it to your EveryDollar budget so it’s working toward a specific goal—and so you don’t wonder where it went at the end of the month.

A referral is the highest compliment you can give us! To show our appreciation for every referral we enter your name into our monthly drawing. You could win gift cards or cash. Also, for every referral that you send to Allco Insurance, that writes a policy with us, we donate $10 to Stripes of a Warrior. Stripes of a Warrior is a great cause that we support wholeheartedly. They will provide financial assistance to those that have been diagnosed with cancer and are unable to afford their housing, medical bills, medication, or food expenses. Referrals have helped raise over $28,000 in the past 9 years for Stripes of a Warrior. To learn click HERE.

We've rounded up a few great reads from around the web to keep you informed and entertained this month.

• Halloween season is officially here. A Medium writer put together a list of 31 Halloween films to watch this October, a great watch list whether you're into classic horror, family-friendly spooks, or something in between.

• Formula 1 has a rich history in the United States, and the tracks tell quite a story. Red Bull put together a guide to the iconic U.S. tracks that have hosted Formula 1, a fascinating read for motorsport fans and history buffs alike.

• October 10th is also World Mental Health Day. UCLA Health shared nine practical mental health tips for a happier 2026, simple, research-backed strategies worth bookmarking.

• Planning a Halloween dinner before the trick-or-treating begins? Food Network rounded up 23 Halloween dinner ideas that are festive, fun, and easy enough to pull off on a busy evening.

• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Britannica has a thorough and informative overview of breast cancer awareness, its history, significance, and how you can support

Even ghosts need a little help seeing clearly in October.

As always, if you have any insurance questions or want to make sure your coverage is ready for the season ahead, don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to help.