Home insurance concept.
Before choosing home insurance, there are a few things to consider. Your home’s location, fire department, and protection should be considered. It is also important to know if you’ll need coverage for extreme weather. Many standard policies don’t cover these kinds of damages, and if you live in an area that regularly receives high temperatures, you may want to consider getting an extra-special policy. These can cost more than the basic policy, but they may be well worth the money.
When comparing home insurance quotes, look for common coverages. Some of them are required by your mortgage company, while others are suggested by your state. Also, make sure the deductibles are comparable, as these will affect price from quote to quote. You should also compare optional coverages, since some insurance companies do not offer them. For example, if you’re planning to get additional liability coverage, you’ll want to choose a higher deductible than you need.
Personal property coverage is important, as it covers damage to your belongings if you’re ever in an emergency situation. Some policies cover costs for cleaning up debris or making repairs to protect your property. They may even cover the cost of fire department service charges when a covered loss has resulted in a fire. Other coverage is important, too. Some policies even cover additional living expenses if you need to stay somewhere else while your house is being repaired. If you need to stay in a hotel for a few days, your insurance company may cover those costs for you.
Besides the dwelling, you should also consider other structures on your property. If you plan to renovate, you should consider the replacement cost of all of them. Aside from your home, you should also include personal belongings such as jewelry, electronics, and clothes. Personal property coverage is important because it will protect you from potential lawsuits and other legal costs. Once you know how much your belongings are worth, you can choose the appropriate level of coverage for your home.
Depending on your circumstances, your coverage limits may vary. Choose a coverage limit high enough to replace your home and contents at today’s prices. Depending on the value of your home, your “dwelling” limit may be lower than the value of the home. You may need to pay a deductible before you can start receiving the benefits of the policy. This is why you should compare the amounts of coverage on different policies carefully. If you’re unsure of which limits to choose, contact your insurance agent for assistance.
As home prices continue to rise, your coverage will need to change. For example, if the refrigerator you have today has an expected life of 20 years, it’s worth only half of what it was worth in 2001. This means that your homeowners insurance will need to increase accordingly. To keep up with inflation, you should consider buying an “Inflation Guard Endorsement” so your insurance provider can automatically change the coverage limits if necessary.
