Tips for Buying a Homeowners Insurance Policy
One of the most critical steps in home-buying is ensuring your home is immediately protected against theft, fire, and other mishaps. Purchasing homeowners insurance is comparable to buying any other kind of insurance, and it's essential to do your homework before settling on a policy. A financial advisor can help you construct a financial plan for your needs and goals. Here are some essential tips to consider when buying a homeowners insurance policy from our public insurance claims adjuster in Polk County.
Know How Much Coverage You Require
The first effort in selecting a homeowners policy is calculating how much insurance you need. You'll need to break down several individual costs to get an accurate estimate.
The most noteworthy figure to consider is how much capital it would take to rebuild your house if it was destroyed. Insurers employ this as the base amount when drawing up their policy. From there, they'll also factor in the price of replacing your possessions, the cost of restoring or replacing other structures on the property, like fencing or a shed, and personal liability expenses that you may incur if somebody were to get hurt at your house.
One mistake that homeowners make is only buying enough insurance to cover the value of their mortgage loan. Instead, looking at the bigger picture is essential to ensure you're adequately prepared for the worst.
Take a Look at What Your Policy Covers
There's no such thing as one-size-fits-all homeowners insurance, and it's a good idea to read up on the particulars before you choose a policy. For instance, one policy outlines 16 covered perils, including damage caused by fire, smoke, and lightning. Another policy, on the other hand, covers your house against just about anything except specific perils that are expressly excluded. So, it is essential to understand what you are purchasing.
In addition, some policies cover condos or townhomes, new construction, older homes, and mobile homes. The kind of policy you choose should reflect the structure you're purchasing and its overall condition. You also need to consider the surrounding area's geography to decide whether additional coverage against things like floods or hurricanes might be necessary.
Pay Attention to Your Deductible
Like any other insurance policy, homeowners coverage directs you to cough up a deductible before the insurance company pays any claims. Deductibles are usually set at $500 or $1,000, but some insurers will let you set it as high as $10,000.
Going with a more elevated deductible means you'll pay more out-of-pocket if something happens to the house, but it does offer some advantages. It usually means a lower monthly payment. Plus, any time you make a claim, your policy rates are likely to go up, but if you've got a high deductible that demands you cover those expenses yourself, there's less chance of your premiums increasing.
Choose the Best Way to Pay Premiums
You have two choices for paying your homeowners' insurance premiums, and you have to decide what's more attainable for your budget. The first is to pay your annual premiums upfront once a year. Depending on the home's value and where you live, that might mean handing over a few thousand dollars at once.
If parting with a large chunk of change isn't reasonable, the other alternative is to roll your premiums into your mortgage. The upside of doing so is that you can break the premiums down into smaller pieces, but your mortgage payments will be more expensive each month. First, you have to decide which method to cover the premiums is least painful for your budget.
Follow these tips when buying a homeowner's insurance policy. Contact us today if you need assistance from a public insurance claims adjuster in Polk County. We are here to help.
