Having homeowners insurance is not a luxury, but a necessity. This type of insurance not only protects your home and belongings from damage or theft but is also a requirement for most mortgage companies when lending money for residential real estate.
Even if you are renting, many landlords require their tenants to have renters insurance. It is always a good idea to have this type of protection, even if it is not mandatory. This article will guide you through the basics of homeowners insurance policies.
What A Homeowner’s Policy Provides
A homeowner’s insurance policy, while infinitely customizable, contains standard elements that outline the costs the insurer will cover.
Damage To Either The Inside Or Outside Of Your Residence
If your house gets damaged by fire, hurricanes, lightning, or vandalism, your insurance company will pay to repair or rebuild it. However, if the damage is caused by floods, earthquakes, or poor maintenance, you may need extra insurance to cover it. If you have other buildings on your property, like a garage or shed, they may need separate insurance.
Your insurance will also cover the things inside your home, like furniture and appliances, if they get damaged in a covered disaster. You can even get coverage for things you lose outside of your home, like jewellery.
However, there is usually a limit to how much the insurance company will pay for your belongings. This limit is usually 50% to 70% of the insurance you have for your home’s structure. So, if your home is insured for $100,000, your possessions would be covered for up to about $40,000.
If you possess valuable assets such as fine art, antiques, designer clothes, or fine jewellery, it might be advisable to consider additional coverage options such as itemized scheduling, purchasing a rider or obtaining a separate insurance policy to protect them.
Personal Liability For Damage Or Injuries
Liability coverage is a type of insurance that helps protect you from lawsuits. This insurance can also cover things related to your pets. For example, if your dog bites your neighbour, Janet, your insurance company will pay for her medical bills.
Another scenario is if your child accidentally breaks Janet’s valuable vase, you can file a claim to get money to pay for it. If Janet gets hurt from slipping on the broken vase and sues you, your insurance will help pay for the costs. It is just like if someone got hurt on your property.
Experts suggest that it is a good idea to have insurance coverage of at least $300,000. Some policies may offer as little as $100,000 in coverage. To get even more protection, you can buy an extra policy called an umbrella policy for a few hundred dollars more in premiums. This policy can give you additional coverage of $1 million or more.
Renting A Hotel Or House During The Reconstruction Or Repair Of Your Home
If something happens to your home and you have to leave for a while, your insurance can help you pay for the costs of living somewhere else. This is called additional living expenses coverage.
It can cover things like rent, hotel rooms, and restaurant meals while you are waiting to go back to your home. But be careful because there are limits to how much you can spend each day and in total. If you want to have more coverage, you may have to pay extra.
Different Types Of Homeowners Coverage
Not all insurance for homeowners is the same. The cheaper insurance options may not cover as much as the more expensive ones. In the United States, there are different types of standardized homeowners insurance labelled HO-1 through HO-8. The coverage offered depends on the homeowner’s needs and the type of residence they have.
Levels Of Coverage For Homeowners Insurance
There are three types of coverage for homeowners insurance.
- Actual Cash Value: This type of coverage pays for the cost of your home and belongings minus depreciation, which means the current value of your belongings.
- Replacement Cost: This type of coverage pays for the cost of rebuilding or repairing your home and replacing your belongings without taking into account depreciation.
- Guaranteed Replacement Cost/Value: This type of coverage is the most comprehensive as it pays for the cost of rebuilding your home even if it is higher than your policy limit. Some insurers also offer extended replacement coverage, which provides additional coverage but has a limit.
Experts suggest that homeowners should consider purchasing guaranteed replacement value policies because it covers the cost of rebuilding their home at current prices, which tend to increase over time.
Insuring your home only for the mortgage amount may not be enough. Having guaranteed replacement value coverage can absorb the increased replacement costs and provide extra protection if construction prices rise.
What Types Of Damage Or Losses Are Typically Excluded From Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage?
Homeowner’s insurance usually covers most types of losses that might happen, but some situations like natural disasters, acts of God, and acts of war may not be included.
If you live in an area that is prone to floods, hurricanes, or earthquakes, you might need to get extra coverage. You can add riders for these or get separate policies for earthquake or flood insurance. You can also consider adding coverage for sewer and drain backups, or identity theft recovery expenses.
What Factors Are Considered When Setting Homeowner’s Insurance Rates
According to Noah J. Bank, a vice president and insurance advisor at HUB International, the driving force behind home insurance rates is the likelihood of a homeowner filing a claim.
Insurance companies decide how risky it is to insure a property by looking at the homeowner’s past claims, claims related to the property, and the homeowner’s credit. Multiple claims related to the same issue, like water damage or wind storms, can increase the risk and lead to higher rates.
The neighbourhood, crime rate, and building materials also play a part. The condition of the home, including whether it is well-maintained, can also affect insurance rates.
Pets, especially certain breeds of dogs, can also raise rates. Coverage options, deductibles, and the desired coverage amount are other factors that can impact annual premiums.
Insurers aim to make money and may even deny coverage to a home with too many recent claims. Eligibility and pricing for coverage can vary based on factors like building construction, roof type, heating type, proximity to the coast, and security systems.
Ways To Lower Home Insurance Premiums
Although it is never wise to skimp on coverage, there are strategies to lower insurance premiums.
Keep Your Security System In Good Working Condition
If a homeowner installs a burglar alarm that is monitored by a central station or directly connected to the police, they may be able to reduce their annual insurance premiums by 5% or more. To receive the discount, the homeowner usually needs to show proof of central monitoring by providing a bill or contract to the insurance company.
Smoke alarms are also important for reducing insurance premiums. Even though modern homes usually have smoke alarms installed, adding them to older homes can save homeowners 10% or more on their annual premiums.
Other safety measures like CO detectors, deadbolt locks, sprinkler systems, and weatherproofing can also be helpful in lowering premiums in some cases.
Choose A Higher Deductible
Similar to health or car insurance, homeowners can choose a higher deductible to lower their yearly premiums. But, the issue with opting for a high deductible is that small claims, which usually cost a couple of hundred dollars to repair (like broken windows or water damage), will be the responsibility of the homeowner. These can accumulate over time.
Look For Multiple Policy Discounts
A lot of insurance companies offer a 10% or more discount to clients who have multiple insurance policies with them, such as auto or health insurance, along with their homeowners’ insurance.
It is a good idea to ask for a quote on other types of insurance from the same company that provides your homeowners insurance. This way, you may be able to save money on two different premiums.
Make Advance Preparations For Your Renovation Project
If you want to add a new structure or extension to your home, think about the materials you will use. Usually, wood-framed structures will cost more to insure because they can easily catch fire.
On the other hand, structures made of cement or steel will cost less because they are less likely to be damaged by fire or severe weather.
Also, many homeowners forget to consider the insurance costs associated with adding a swimming pool or other risky devices like trampolines. These items can increase the annual insurance costs by 10% or more.
Repay Your Home Loan In Full
It is easier said than done, but if you fully own your home, you will probably see a drop in your insurance premiums. This is because insurance companies assume that if you own your place entirely, you will take better care of it.
Conduct Periodic Reviews And Comparisons
No matter what the initial price quote is, it is a good idea to compare prices from different insurance providers. This includes checking if you are eligible for group coverage options through credit or trade unions, employers, or association memberships.
Even after buying a policy, it is best to compare other insurance policies at least once per year to see if you can save money. Also, review your existing policy and check for any changes that might help lower your premiums.
For instance, if you have taken down your trampoline, paid off your mortgage, or installed an advanced sprinkler system, you can inform the insurance company of these changes and provide pictures and receipts as proof. Van Jura adds “that some companies offer credits for upgrading plumbing, electricity, heating, and roofing.”
To ensure that you have enough insurance coverage to replace your valuable possessions, it’s important to regularly evaluate them. John Bodrozic, who co-founded a home maintenance app called HomeZada, explains that many people don’t have enough coverage because they haven’t taken the time to create an inventory and compare it to their policy.
You may also be able to reduce your insurance rates by keeping an eye out for changes in your neighbourhood, like the installation of a fire hydrant or the construction of a fire substation nearby. These improvements could lead to lower premiums.
How To Compare Home Insurance Companies
If you are searching for an insurance carrier, the following is a checklist of tips that may prove useful during your search and shopping process.
Here are some ways to choose the best home insurance policy:
1. Check the rating of each insurance company in your state and the average cost of home insurance in your area.
To ensure that you choose a reliable and financially stable insurance provider, it’s important to do some research beforehand. One of the first things you can do is visit your state’s Department of Insurance website, which contains information on the ratings and consumer complaints of every home insurance company licensed to operate in your state. Also, you can find the average cost of home insurance in various counties and cities on the website.
2. Look at the scores of insurance companies on credit agency websites and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and Weiss Research.
Before choosing a home insurance company, it is a good idea to research their credibility and reputation. You can start by checking the scores and ratings of these companies on the websites of reputable credit agencies like A.M. Best, Moody’s, J.D. Power, Standard & Poor’s, as well as those of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and Weiss Research.
These websites provide valuable information on consumer complaints, customer feedback, claims processing, and other important data. Some of these websites also assess a company’s financial stability to ensure that they have the means to pay out claims when necessary.
3. Find out who will handle your claims and whether they have a good track record of fair and timely settlements.
Dealing with the aftermath of a major loss can be a financial burden, especially if you have to pay for repairs out of pocket and wait for reimbursement from your insurer.
To avoid this situation, it is important to investigate how your insurance company handles claims, especially if they outsource core functions like claims handling to third-party call centres.
When shopping for insurance, ask your agent about the insurer’s claims handling process and reputation. Look for a carrier that has a proven track record of fair and timely settlements.
It is also important to understand the insurer’s policy on holdback provisions, where they may withhold a portion of their payment until you can prove that repairs have begun.
By doing your due diligence, you can choose an insurer that will provide the support and assistance you need during a difficult time.
4. Ask about the insurer’s retention rate and look for customer satisfaction information.
When it comes to choosing an insurance company, it’s important to look beyond their claims service promises and find out what their policyholders actually think of them.
One way to gauge this is by asking your agent or a company representative about the insurer’s retention rate, which refers to the percentage of policyholders who renew their policies each year. A high retention rate, typically between 80% and 90%, is a good sign that customers are satisfied with the company’s service.
You can also research customer satisfaction information through annual reports, online reviews, and personal testimonials from people you trust. By doing your homework and considering multiple sources of information, you can make an informed decision and choose an insurance company that values its customers and provides excellent service.
5. Get quotes from multiple companies, including the ones you already have a relationship with, and compare coverage and limits.
Getting multiple quotes is essential when shopping for homeowner’s insurance, as coverage needs can vary widely between policies and companies. Comparing quotes from several insurers will help you find the best coverage at the most affordable price.
But how many quotes should you aim for? It’s recommended to collect at least five quotes to get a sense of what different companies are offering and to have leverage in negotiations.
Before reaching out to new insurers, however, consider requesting a quote from companies you already have a relationship with, such as your auto or boat insurance provider. They may offer discounts for bundling policies or being a loyal customer.
Keep in mind that some insurers offer special discounts for certain groups, such as seniors or people who work from home. These groups may be seen as lower-risk customers who are less likely to experience burglary or property damage. Be sure to ask about any potential discounts when collecting quotes to maximize your savings.
6. Don’t just focus on the price, compare coverages and limits.
Focusing solely on the annual premium when choosing a home insurance policy can be a mistake. It’s important to remember that insurers use different policy forms and endorsements, which means the policy wording can vary significantly.
Even when comparing seemingly similar policies, there can be differences in coverages and limits that are important to consider. Therefore, it’s crucial to compare these factors in addition to the price when selecting a policy.
7. Speak to an independent agent who deals with multiple companies to get quotes and ask questions to make an informed decision.
To obtain accurate insurance quotes, it is recommended to approach insurance companies directly or consult an independent agent who deals with multiple companies instead of a captive agent or financial planner representing a single home insurance company.
However, it is important to note that brokers licensed to sell for multiple companies may add their own fees to policies and renewals, resulting in additional costs for consumers.
When considering insurance options, it’s crucial to ask questions that provide a comprehensive understanding of the available choices. It is advisable to consider different deductible scenarios to determine whether opting for a higher deductible and self-insuring is a feasible option.
The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Every insurance policy is unique and coverage may vary depending on individual circumstances. Before making any decisions regarding insurance, readers should consult with a licensed insurance agent or broker to obtain advice that is specific to their situation.
The author and the website owner(s) make no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents herein and accept no liability for any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by any information contained in this article.
