There is no better feeling than waking up to your very own home. The pride in the accomplishment of acquiring a home is huge. You and your family have put their heart and souls into this living space. You have so much in your home that needs protection.
If you are financing your home, Homeowners Insurance is a requirement.
Unlike car insurance which is required for owning and registering a vehicle, homeowners insurance is not mandated by law, but the majority of homeowners buy it. Your home is your largest personal investment and it needs protection. But finding the correct balance of coverage and cost is a difficult process.
Facts About Homeowners Insurance
When you purchase a home, home lenders require you to have a minimum amount of coverage in order to protect what they are financing.
Homeowners insurance is in place in case a disaster such as a fire occurs and your home is destroyed. You will need it insured to pay off the loan on the home and recover damages.
Credit can be an important rating factor when looking for homeowners insurance. The difference in cost between someone that has excellent credit versus poor credit is nearly half.
Homeowners insurance covers four basic types of insurance: structure, personal belongings, liability, and additional living expenses.
The location of your home, the construction type, roof slope and many other features contribute to how much your homeowners insurance will be.
You can save money on your premium by raising your deductible.
You can bundle your insurance to save! Putting homeowners and auto together, for example, could save.
You may also want to pay for your insurance annually to save on costs.
There are many discounts available to you if you ask. If you live by a fire department, have home safety devices like an alarm, have a deadbolt on your door, or have a good credit history you could save.
There's No Place Like Home. Make Sure It's Fully Protected.
Turn to CheapInsurance.com for the best homeowners insurance coverage at the best rates.
With our access to dozens of quality insurance carriers, let us match up your specific needs with the company that can provide you the coverages you desire at the most competitive rates.
We want to be there when you need us most and help get you back to your home in the event of a loss.
Start here with an online quote and free evaluation for homeowners insurance today.
More facts
You have a few different types of coverage: a cash value coverage, a replacement cost coverage and a guaranteed or exceeded cost coverage.
Not every type of damage is covered by homeowners insurance. Ask your agent if you have something specific you would like covered.
If you have a home-based business, your homeowners insurance could be a tax write off.
Neglect of the home is a red flag for insurance companies. If your home is in bad shape or something is damaged because of negligence, they may not pay out.
Depending on what kind of dog you have, your liability insurance may not cover that particular breed in the case of a dog bite.
Know that every time you make a claim, your premiums could go up.
There is a deadline for making a claim on your homeowners insurance policy. There is usually a two week window to do so.
It is always a good idea to make an inventory of the valuables in your home. You could always take pictures or video of the things you have and add up the costs.
Insurance companies do take into consideration the depreciation of value on goods in your home.
An insurance company cannot just cancel your insurance. They have to have a good reason such as failure of payments.
If you plan to remodel your home, make sure you check in with your agent. Your reconstruction is not automatically covered in your insurance policy.
What’s Usually Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
Though each cheap homeowners insurance policy will differ, most policies generally cover the following: Damage to your home, including permanent structures on your propertyâunless your policy specifically excludes the cause of the damage Damage to personal property, meaning the items in your home that are not attached to the dwelling, due to causes outlined in your policy Liability coverage for legal matters or accidents that occur on your property Loss of use, which allows you to maintain your lifestyle at another residence while your home is being repaired without incurring additional costs Limited coverage for items such as stolen jewelryâthe amount of coverage varies depending upon state of residence, and you always have the option to increase this coverage. Additional coverage available for more valuable items (jewelry, fur, silverware, etc.). If coverage above the limited coverage amount is required, a âriderâ should be purchased. This coverage offers a broader range of perils.Save Money on Your Homeowners Insurance Today
Do you qualify for discounts on your homeowners insurance? Check this list to see a sampling of some of the discounts available.- Monitored home alarm system– having an alarm system could deter burglaries and looks great to insurance companies.
- Doors fortified with security locks– having a deadbolt lock is a sure-fire way to save you money.
- Smoke detectors– this is not only a super safe idea for your family but could literally save lives.
- Sprinkler system– these are more expensive to install, however this could save you money and pay off if something in your home catches fire.
- Gated community– Living in a gated community usually means a safer environment in general.
- Retirement community– retirement communities usually have their own security in place.
- Newly purchased home– Newly purchased homes usually come with sprinkler systems, smoke detectors and good quality locks.
- Age of home discount– depending on the age of your home, you could save on your insurance.
What If I Have A Pool?
Usually a standard liability policy with homeowners insurance is around $100,000. When you have a pool the suggested amount of liability coverage goes up to $500,000. Why? Pools are considered dangerous to visitors. If you have a fence around your pool, this is a great way to make it safer. When kids and adults alike come to visit, pools can be hazardous especially when drinking. Some people do not know how to swim, yet this is rarely disclosed when someone enters your home. Be aware of the dangers of pools for children and have the correct amount of liability coverage just in case.What If I Lease My Home to Tenants?
Renting your home can be a good extra source of income, or a way to manage its expenses. If you rent your home to a tenant, you need a specific type of homeowners insurance, known as a âdwelling fireâ policy. CheapInsurance.com offers the cheapest rates and can assist you in making sure your home is covered in all types of circumstances. Contact us to request more information on Dwelling Fire policies.Consider renters insurance
Tenants who live in a rental property should consider an inexpensive renterâs insurance policy. Have you ever added up the value of the items in your dresser alone? Try adding up the value of all the spices in your cabinet. Replacing them could be more costly than most people realize. The simple things we take for granted take more than a few dollars to replace. Renters insurance can assure that your jewelry, plasma television, and that amazing stereo you canât wait for people to listen to when they come over can be replaced in case of fire, flood, or theft.Terms You Should Know
Monitored home alarm system– having an alarm system could deter burglaries and looks great to insurance companies.
Doors fortified with security locks– having a deadbolt lock is a sure-fire way to save you money.
Smoke detectors– this is not only a super safe idea for your family but could literally save lives.
Sprinkler system– these are more expensive to install, however this could save you money and pay off if something in your home catches fire.
Gated community– Living in a gated community usually means a safer environment in general.
Retirement community– retirement communities usually have their own security in place.
Newly purchased home– Newly purchased homes usually come with sprinkler systems, smoke detectors and good quality locks.
Age of home discount– depending on the age of your home, you could save on your insurance.
Defensible Space – A designated area around a fireplace or other hazard to prevent fires or accidents.
Depreciation– When the actual value of property is lowered to reflect age, misuse or neglect.
Extended Replacement Cost – Additional coverage for replacement value of your property. If labor and material costs rise you may not be able to replace your property to its previous condition at the market value.
Fire Insurance – Coverage that pays for loss associated with fire.
Flood Insurance – Additional coverage that covers for loss associated with flood waters. This coverage may be mandatory depending on the zoning laws of your area.
Homeowners Insurance – A policy in which covers the homeownerâs property and also liability coverage for anyone injured at his property.
Manufactured home coverage – Coverage specifically for mobile homes.
Mortgage Guarantee Insurance – Coverage to protect mortgage companies from default on a homeowners loan.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) – An insurance risk pool that helps defray the insurance companies costs associated with severe flooding.
Premium – The cost of the policy that must be paid in order to be covered.
Property Damage Coverage – Coverage for any damage to your property such as broken windows.
Rental Property – Any property that is leased or rented.
Umbrella Policy – Provides personal liability insurance when other policies are not effective at covering all possible events under the current policies.
Water Damage Policy – Covers damage to property caused by water damage such as plumbing issues but not flood water.
Fifty years of Cheap Insurance
Since 1974, Cheap Insurance has been helping homeowners find the coverage that adequately protects their investment and their family, as well as tailoring that coverage to fit their budget. We have been a leader in this field for 50 years and have answers to your questions.
