Category: Home Insurance

Have you ever been kept awake at night because you’re worried about something happening to your home? The possibilities are endless – fire, burglary, flooding, lightning. Your home is, well, your home. If something were to happen to your house, it would be devastating. It’s no wonder you have a hard time sleeping if you’re dwelling on the things that could go wrong.

But the good news is that homeowners insurance will be there for you. With a great home insurance policy, you can sleep well knowing that your home and belongings are covered if you’re hit with a catastrophe. A homeowners policy covers and protects you from a multitude of disasters, so even though you can’t predict the future, you know you’ll be protected from whatever life can throw at you.

We know that your home and your family are unique, so you need a personalized insurance policy to fit your needs. InsuranceHub would be happy to help with that. We can help you identify your risks and make sure you’re covered. We want to keep you and your family protected from anything that could come your way.

24 Feb
2021

Buying the Right Amount of Insurance for High-Value Homes

by InsuranceHub | in Home Insurance

Homeowners understand the challenge of finding the right balance of insurance protection and risk management. It is a struggle every homeowner faces. Those who own high-value homes (typically those valued at $750,000 or greater) often have different insurance needs than homeowners with less valuable homes.

Insuring a High-Value Home

When it comes to insuring a high-value home the challenge isn’t always about insuring the home for the right amount. Sometimes it is about the additional insurance products you need to protect the value, structure, integrity, and value of your home.

After all, your home is an investment. One that most people purchase with the intention of growing value over time. Getting the right amount of homeowners insurance is only half the battle. You must also continue the following types of insurance protection to supplement your coverage and have the robust insurance protection you require. This includes the following types of insurance products:

General liability insurance. While some general liability insurance is included with your home insurance, you may wish to consider additional protection for general liability. If you have pets, swimming pools, treehouses, trampolines, or other “risky” structures on your property you will certainly benefit by considering higher general liability plan limits.
Umbrella insurance. This is a different type of liability insurance that offers protection should you exceed the limit of your general liability insurance.
Flood insurance. If the value of your home is $250,000 or more, you will want to explore private flood insurance options rather than insuring your home with the National Flood Insurance Program. The maximum value with this program is $250,000 which will be completely insufficient for your needs.
High-value item riders. If you have costly collections, art, expensive electronics, antiques, furs, and jewelry, you should also consider additional riders for these items that are high value as your “contents” or “possessions” coverage may be insufficient to repair or replace these costlier items.
Identity theft insurance. Identity theft is a growing problem. A problem homeowners need to be watchful of and protected against. Look for insurance coverage that provides some degree of protection against identity theft as well as some assistance in recovering should someone attempt to defraud you by assuming your identity.
Employment practices liability insurance. If you employ household staff or in-home employees, this is another type of insurance people who own a high-value home can’t afford to live without. It offers protection against claims of discrimination, wrongful termination, and more.

Sufficiently insuring your high-value home is about much more than getting the right dollar amount of protection for covered losses. It’s about having protection and coverage in all the right places. InsuranceHub can help you with all your homeowners’ insurance needs. Contact InsuranceHub today by calling 770.497.1200 and let us help make sure you have coverage where you need it most.

22 Dec
2020

What To Do After Purchasing a New Home: A New Home Purchase Guide

by InsuranceHub | in Home Insurance

For those buying a new home, they may feel like they have recently finished a marathon. There is a lot to do if you are looking for a home. Between meeting with real estate agents, securing a home loan, and completing all of the paperwork, new homeowners are usually tired by the time they get the keys to their new home. At the same time, even if you have your keys in hand, there are still other steps you need to take to make sure that your home is ready for new occupants.

Hook Up the Utilities

There is a good chance that your home does not have any utilities hooked up when you move into it. Therefore, it is important to contact local utility companies and get everything turned on. Some of these utilities may require people to come to your home. A few utilities that you need to activate include:

Contact a local electrical company and make sure the electricity is turned on
Give a call to the local water company and make sure your home’s plumbing system is running
If your home has a gas line, you need to get the gas turned on as well
You should research local cable and internet providers to make sure that you have internet, cable, and a landline if you need one

We’re guessing that you probably do not want to live in a house without utilities. Therefore, you need to make sure that these bills are switched over to your name as soon as possible.

Change Your Locks

You do not know if the previous homeowner has made copies of the keys. Therefore, to make sure your home is safe, you may want to change your locks. You also need to make sure that you reset the security code to your garage if you have one. Finally, if your home does not already have an alarm or a security system, you may want to get one installed. This may help you qualify for discounts on home insurance premiums.

Secure Home Insurance

If you did not already get home insurance through your lender, then you need to make sure that you protect this valuable asset. Many people purchase home insurance based on the value of the home they now own; however, this is usually not enough coverage. Remember that home insurance is designed to not only protect the structure of your home but also its contents. Therefore, you may want to schedule a home insurance inspection to make sure that you get enough coverage to protect your house. Remember that your home is a valuable investment. You need to make sure that you protect it with the right home insurance policy.

Say Hi to the New Neighbors

Finally, take a few minutes to say hi to your new neighbors as well. Even though some of your neighbors might swing by and welcome you to the neighborhood, some people might be too busy to do so. Try to take a few minutes and introduce yourself to your neighbors. If you go on vacation one day and want someone to watch your house, you want to make sure you have a positive relationship with the homeowners around you. They might even give you a welcome gift after you buy a new home!

22 Dec
2020

5 Common Mistakes People Make on Homeowner’s Insurance Claims

by InsuranceHub | in Home Insurance

Having home insurance is a must, to protect your most valuable asset, your belongings and your financial future. While most people have home insurance coverage, many make costly errors when it comes to filing claims. Some of the most common home insurance claims mistakes are detailed below — along with some tips for avoiding these expensive errors.

Not understanding your policy

You should know what your policy covers, who your provider is and what your claims process is. Your policy is a long and wordy document, but it is a good idea to read it and understand what is covered.

Failing to get flood coverage: This is an incredibly costly error, and many homeowners don’t discover it until it is too late. Even though your home insurance policy covers “water” damage, it may not cover floods — you need a separate policy for that in most cases. If you live near water, in a storm-prone area or along the coast, you likely need a separate policy for flood damage just in case.

Not updating coverage

If you only looked at your homeowner’s coverage when you purchased your policy, it could be out of date. If you’re paying the bill, the coverage is still in place, but if your family has grown, you’ve made home improvements, purchased expensive items (that would be covered) or made other changes, then your coverage may not be as complete as it should. Unless you review your policy annually, you would only discover a problem after a damaging event, which is too late to add that new artwork, upgraded flooring, or expensive electronics.

Not keeping an inventory

You may be able to name the larger covered items in your home — the electronics, appliances, and other big-ticket things, but do you know their model numbers, value and other specifics? A full home inventory you update annually ensures that any upgrades are included and that you are reimbursed properly in the event of a loss. If the items in question have been destroyed, you may end up relying on your memory to list what you had. In a stressful time, this could result in a far lower claim amount than you are truly entitled to.

Failing to document damage

Extensive damage from a storm or fire could leave your home exposed to the elements – and you’ll naturally want to start cleaning and repairing the damage to your property. You should take photos and document damage before cleanup begins. Saying a tree limb fell on your roof is open to interpretation; images of that same tree in your living room after crashing through the roof clearly shows the issue and extent of the problem.

Familiarizing yourself with your policy, updating it as needed and keeping good records will all help you protect your home, your family and your belongings if you need to make a claim. Choosing the right policy for your needs and covering these details will ensure you are covered when you need it most.

10 Dec
2020

Did your credit score increase? It’s time to shop insurance rates

by InsuranceHub | in Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Tips

You did it — you finally paid off a credit card or made some serious strides with your finances. After this work has been accomplished, you may be awarded with a credit score increase. While this means it’s time to celebrate, you should also consider shopping around for better insurance rates.

Many factors impact our insurance premiums. Whether it’s a boat, auto, renter’s, or home insurance, many aspects play a role in determining our premiums. However, your credit score holds a lot of weight. If you experience a credit score increase, you could be entitled to a better deal.

Tips for Shopping Insurance Rates

After you see your score increase, it may be smart to shop around for cheaper rates. Here are some tips on how to do this effectively:

Consider Combining

Car insurance is one area where it is typically beneficial to have multiple drivers on one policy. And since you now have a credit score increase, the savings can be substantial. That said, ask your car insurance provider how much you can save if you add a new driver. Another option is to shop around with other insurance companies to find the best quote. Combining different policies under one provider is another tactic to consider. For example, you may have a home insurance policy and car insurance policy under one provider. This will often lead to savings. By combining policies with an improved credit score, discounts are sure to follow.

Know the Numbers

When shopping around for insurance rates, many shoppers don’t even have a target number. This can lead to paying far more than you should. When getting quotes from providers, you should know what’s average, what’s cheap, and what’s far too pricey. Do research ahead of time to understand what’s a good rate for someone with your credit score.

Consider High Deductibles

Whether you’re dealing with car insurance or home insurance, you may consider raising your deductible for a better premium. However, not many insurance providers will tell you about this trick. And if you had a credit score increase, you could save even more. No matter what insurance policy you have, it may be possible to raise the deductible. Contact your insurance agent for assistance.

Only Get What You Need

If you just had a credit score increase, that might mean you’re doing better financially. While you may feel inclined to increase your premiums with better coverages, doing so might not be the smartest move. You may have more money to spend, but you should always only pay for what you need. To help in this regard, review your policies line-by-line and remove anything that isn’t necessary. When you do this after a credit score increase, the savings could be extensive.

Ask for Deals and Discounts

Surprisingly, insurance companies sometimes have tons of deals they can give to their customers. However, not everyone takes advantage of them. While you can always ask your insurance agent if they have any specials, it’s more common when you have a credit score increase. You may get a lower premium, more extensive coverages, or discounts on other policies.

If you saw a boost in your credit score, following these tips can be the smartest move for your financial well-being.

07 Dec
2020

Vacation Home Insurance 101: What It Is and Why You Need It

by InsuranceHub | in Home Insurance

Buying a vacation home is the dream of many, but there’s a lot to consider before signing a contract, and vacation property insurance is a primary one. Because you won’t be in the home full-time, having insurance to protect the property from damages such as wind, fire, and other perils is vital.

It’s unlikely that your primary home insurance policy will cover a second home, which is why you need to learn more about vacation property insurance, why it’s necessary, and the approximate costs. Our InsuranceHub experts will cover that for you right here.

What Is Vacation Home Insurance?

Insurance for vacation homes typically requires a separate policy from your primary residence. Vacation home insurance covers the second home that you don’t plan to live in full time. However it’s different from vacant home insurance, and you might need to acquire even more than a vacation policy should you carry a mortgage on the dwelling, decide to rent it out, or live in a flood zone or near water hazards.

Vacation Home Insurance: What Does It Cover?

Insurance for a vacation home varies from traditional home insurance policies that may cover practically every potential incident. Policies for vacation homes are designed to protect a property that will not be occupied on a full-time basis. Your insurance agent can build a policy to meet special needs, but standard home vacation properties typically cover damages from the following perils only.

Theft
Lightning
Smoke
Fire
Explosions

Some policies may include liability coverage that protects against personal injury claims related to the property. However, this coverage could possibly be covered under certain primary homeowners policies. Be sure to carefully read your vacation home policy’s declarations page carefully to see what is covered, deductibles, coverage limitations, and premiums.

Factoring in the Cost of Insurance for a Vacation Home

Because there will be no full-time occupants, insurance companies consider a second or vacation home to be a higher risk than primary dwellings. Many factors go into determining how much insurance for a vacation home will cost.

Location: Homes located in high-risk areas that are prone to earthquakes, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, and those near the beach equal higher premiums.

Property Type: A cabin in a secluded area will cost far less than a high rise condo in New York or an oceanside vacation property. Amenities that create greater risks like pools will increase costs.

Condition and Age: Naturally, a well-maintained or newer home will cost less to insure than one that has been neglected and is older.

Typically, you will need to factor in flood insurance for lakeside, beachside, riverside, or in high-risk areas. If you plan to rent your property to some extent, you might need rental coverage. These will cost extra on top of the basic policy.

Need Vacation Home Insurance? Call InsuranceHub Today

Here at InsuranceHub, our team of insurance experts can help you get the vacation home insurance that you need. We take time to explain all of your options and how you can save money on your policy premium. Fill out our online quote form or message us on LiveChat for a fast, free assessment.

10 Nov
2020

Considerations for traveling during Thanksgiving 2020

by Katelyn Betts | in Home Insurance, Insurance

Thanksgiving, of course, is a time that most people want to spend with friends and family. Maybe you have a tradition of gathering at someone’s house with your extended family. However, a lot of people travel for Thanksgiving in order to spend the holiday with loved ones. Since COVID-19 is still such a threat, you might be wondering if you want to travel at all, or whether you’d prefer to stay home and have a small dinner just with your household. We’ll go over some considerations for Thanksgiving 2020 during COVID.

27 Oct
2020

5 considerations for Halloween 2020

by Katelyn Betts | in Home Insurance, Insurance

With COVID-19 still a major threat and cause for concern, you might be wondering about Halloween this year. The CDC presents several examples of alternative Halloween activities so you don’t have to partake in traditional trick-or-treating, but there are other considerations to keep in mind for Halloween 2020. Here are a few things that you need to know about celebrating and having fun on the day of candy, costumes, and ghouls.

12 Oct
2020

Tips for having a safe Halloween 2020

by Katelyn Betts | in Home Insurance, Insurance

Halloween is a fun holiday that’s meant to be joyous and lighthearted. But with the coronavirus looming, you might be a bit at a loss of how to keep the fun and magic in the day for you and your family. All the little kids who trick-or-treat – your own included – are in need of their sugar and their fun fall activities! (Especially this year, where everything has been upside-down and topsy-turvy.) The priority, of course, is keeping everyone safe and healthy, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have some fun for Halloween 2020. Here are a few suggestions (as outlined by the CDC) to have a COVID-19 safe Halloween.

05 Oct
2020

5 times your home insurance situation could improve

by Katelyn Betts | in Home Insurance, Insurance

If you’re a homeowner, you know you need to have the right coverage to protect your home. It’s a big investment, after all, but that doesn’t mean you want to clean out your piggy bank paying for your home insurance. What if there were a few occasions that could really help your insurance situation? Everyone loves saving money, especially on insurance, right? We’re going to go over a few different things that could affect your home insurance situation – maybe things that you haven’t thought of before.

28 Sep
2020

Deciding about in-person school for your kids

by Katelyn Betts | in Home Insurance, Insurance

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a lot of difficult decisions for families as they navigate the new reality we’re all facing. One difficult choice parents are having to face is whether to send the kids back to school if their school is re-opening for in-person learning. There are a lot of factors that go into making the choice. It’s really important to make the decision about in-person school based on what’s best for your children and your family. But it’s difficult to weigh the pros and cons, the risks and benefits. We’ll go over some of the things to consider and explain a CDC tool that can help you with that decision-making process.