Bankrate

6 days ago | bankrate.com | Kacie Goff |Troy Segal

With all the talk swirling about inflation and tariffs, consumers have been (rightly) braced for prices to go up. While unwelcome for things like cars and eggs, rising prices can deliver some benefits, particularly for homeowners. Home values sit notably higher than they did five years ago. Home equity lenders seem to have taken note – and are increasing loan and credit line limits accordingly.

1 week ago | bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Amelia Buckley

Underinsured motorist coverage, or UIM, may be one of the least understood types of car insurance, but it’s increasingly important in an era of rising rates and precarious driving. Rising prices can easily leave drivers underinsured — sometimes unknowingly — and this key coverage gives drivers a way to recover their losses if they’re in an accident with an at-fault driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages. What is underinsured motorist coverage?

1 week ago | bankrate.com | Denny Ceizyk |Katie Lowery

Institutional banks offer some of the lowest starting rates with no fees on short-term loans for borrowers with excellent credit. Federal credit unions have great no-fee personal loan options and a rate cap that can’t be beat, but terms are often limited and you must become a member to get a loan. Online personal loan rates tend to be higher than banks or credit unions, but these lenders are more likely to approve borrowers with fair or bad credit.

1 week ago | bankrate.com | Marcos Cabello |Hanna Horvath

Tariffs could cost the average American household $3,800 in 2025, according to The Budget Lab at Yale University. This estimate comes even as President Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs earlier this month, temporarily reducing most tariffs to 10% in the meantime, while maintaining higher rates for countries including China. Tariffs — taxes imposed on imported goods — typically cause prices to rise as companies pass these additional costs to consumers.

1 week ago | bankrate.com | Shannon Martin |Amelia Buckley

Surplus lines insurance can provide coverage for homes that are uninsurable in the standard market. E&S insurance must be purchased through a licensed surplus lines broker. Since surplus lines insurance is not state-regulated, homeowners should pay special attention to the terms and conditions of their policy. Rates for surplus insurance are typically much higher than traditional policies due to less regulation, increased exposure to loss and smaller risk pool.