Homeowners Insurance

Why Do You Need Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance policies generally cover destruction and damage to a residence’s interior and exterior, the loss or theft of possessions, and personal liability for harm to others.

What to Consider When It Comes to Homeowners Insurance?

There are three basic levels of coverage:

Actual cash value
Replacement cost
Extended replacement cost/value

Policy rates are largely determined by the insurer’s risk that you’ll file a claim; they assess this risk based on past claim history associated with the home, the neighborhood, and the home’s condition.

All insurance is definitely not created equal. The least costly homeowners insurance will likely give you the least amount of coverage, and vice versa.

I can help you:

Look for multiple policy discounts

Many insurance companies give a discount of 10% or more to customers who maintain other insurance contracts under the same roof (such as auto or health insurance). Consider obtaining a quote for other types of insurance from the same company that provides your homeowners insurance. You may end up saving on two premiums.

Cost-Cutting Insurance Tips

While it never pays to play it cheap with coverage, there are ways to cut down on insurance premiums.

FAQ’s

My home sustained a water loss last winter due to melting ice dams on the roof. What would be covered under my policy?

Generally damage to both the exterior and interior of a home resulting from weight of ice and snow or ice dams is covered under a homeowners policy. However, only the area damaged in the loss will be covered. Further damage sustained due to wear and tear or neglect will not be covered.

A tree from my neighbor's yard fell and destroyed my fence. Does my policy pay for the damage or does my neighbor's policy?

Generally, your own policy should cover the loss. Your insurance company may be able to recover the amount it pays you for the loss and your deductible from the homeowners insurance that your neighbor may have, in the event that the loss occurred as a result of your neighbor’s negligence.

Can my insurer cancel my coverage during the policy term?

Only if certain criteria is met:

Non-payment of premium
Material misrepresentation/Fraud
Conviction of a crime arising out of acts increasing the hazard insured against. (For example, conviction for illegal storage of fireworks)
Discovery of willful or reckless acts or omissions by the insured increasing the hazard insured against. (For example, not getting a gas leak fixed)
Physical changes in the property insured which result in the property becoming uninsurable. (For example, should the home become vacant for more that 60 consecutive days, there is automatically assumed to be a greater exposure to vandalism and damage)
A determination by the Commissioner of Insurance that continuation of the policy would place the insurance company in violation of the law

Edna has been in business for 30 years, offering all lines of insurance.
As an independent agent, she is contracted with several carriers. This allows her to assess individual needs and custom design a policy portfolio to suit those needs.