Homeowners insurance protects your home and your possessions against certain types of damage or loss. Most policies provide liability coverage in case of a lawsuit against you as well. The type of home insurance you need depends on several factors, including: the area where your house is located, any special features or renovations you have made, your mortgage lender’s requirements and your personal needs and budget.
The type of structure you live in, its age and the materials used to construct it can also affect your home insurance rates. For example, houses constructed of wood are generally more expensive to insure than those built with brick or cement. Also, older homes may have pipes and electrical systems that may be outdated and more susceptible to breakdown or damage. Conversely, newer homes have up-to-date materials and are less likely to suffer from such problems.
Some things that are usually excluded from home insurance include floods and earthquakes. You’ll need separate coverage if you live in an area prone to these natural disasters. Another thing to consider is whether your policy includes coverage for the cost of living if you need to relocate in the event that your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered peril.
The general rule is to buy enough homeowners insurance to cover the replacement value of your house (minus any depreciation), but don’t go overboard and end up spending more than you can afford. It is a good idea to have some sort of inventory of your personal belongings so that you are covered for theft or other events, but many policies limit the amount of high-value items they will cover.
Many home owners insurance companies offer additional coverages or add-ons that you can purchase for an extra fee. For example, you can buy extra coverage for pets or expensive jewelry to increase your protection limits. You can also often get a discount by purchasing other insurance products such as auto or health through the same company that provides your home insurance.
You should also investigate the financial strength of home insurance companies that you are considering using, such as ratings by AM Best or Standard & Poor’s. This will ensure the company has the money to pay claims when you need them. Also, check out their customer service records and how quickly they respond to complaints.
Finally, be sure to take advantage of all the discounts that are available. You can save on your premium by bundling your home and auto insurance, paying your annual policy in full rather than on a monthly basis, going years without filing a claim and installing safety devices such as smoke detectors or deadbolt locks. Each company offers its own unique set of discounts, so make a list of all the companies you are interested in and compare their offerings to find the best deal.