Shop for Homeowners Insurance,
by Jim Knight guest Author
What you don’t know about how to shop for homeowners insurance could cost you!
Consider the classic scenario: You receive a renewal notice from your current homeowner’s insurance carrier, and the rate has increased. Frustrated, you begin to entertain bids from other providers, looking to save money over what you presently pay .
Thus begins the time consuming process of comparing quotes and companies.
Granted, finding a competitive rate on your homeowners insurance is important , however I would pose a few questions:
-How much time do we spend considering not just price , but coverage as well?
-What about the agent ? Are they looking out for our best interest as a client? Or simply looking for the sale?
-If we are saving money , are we receiving comparable (or better ) coverage than we had?
I think many of us would agree that when insuring one of your most valuable assets, your home , there should be a balance between a competitive price offering and the breadth of coverage that you receive.
-When considering a new insurance provider, ask yourself a few questions:
-What type of policy do they offer ?
-What are the exclusions in the policy?
-How are they rated in terms of claims and customer service?
-What is the company’s financial rating?
You wouldn’t go out and buy the least expensive television without doing a bit of research would you? Or a buy a car without “looking under the hood”? Insurance should be no different! After all, the purpose of insurance is to provide protection in the event of a loss, and it is important to make sure you get what you pay for.
Here are a few key items to consider:
How to Shop for Homeowners Insurance
1. Not all homeowners insurance policies are the same
Whether it is an HO-A, HO-B, HO-3, or HO-5 policy, not all homeowners insurance is the same. Read your policy carefully to determine what specific exclusions exist . If considering a new carrier, ask for a copy of the policy to compare to your current provider.
2. What are the most noticeable differences?
All companies cover the basics: Hail/Wind; Fire; Theft; Vandalism; Smoke Damage ; etc; but, what items are sometimes excluded? What coverage items should you specifically look for?
Here are a few:
-Water Damage-Does the company cover sudden and accidental water damage ? If so, are there limitations?
-Water/Sewer Backup-does the company cover back up through a sewer line?
-Slow Water Leak-if I notice a leak in my home that may have been going on for a while, is this covered?
-Foundation-what happens if I have a problem with a water leak under my foundation?
-Mold- Does my current carrier provide coverage for mold remediation, or damage resulting from mold?
-Replacement Cost for Contents-Will my belongings be replaced with like/similar kind and quality , or will the claim be depreciated out based on length of ownership?
3. Not all homeowners insurance policies are rated the same
Most insurance companies use a variety of rating variables to determine what to charge for insurance, and no two policies (or companies) are exactly the same.
Key items that determine how much insurance costs include :
-When your home was built (discounts for newer construction)
-Security features-do you have a monitored alarm system ? Is your home wired for such a system?
-Construction type-is your home brick or frame construction?
-The county you live in (determine d by your zip code)
-Distance from a fire hydrant/fire station
-Prior claim history
-Credit
-Do you also insure your automobile with the same carrier (multi policy discount)
About the author
Jim Knight commercial insurance dfw
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