Homeowners Insurance

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Tap into the crucial factors of homeowners insurance before you invest

Pennsylvania is the 9th most populated state in the US. 68.3% of that population had homeowners insurance, and there was $12.8 billion in property/casualty losses. Although homeowners insurance isn’t required in Pennsylvania, some banks or lenders may require you to have enough coverage to take care of the mortgage of your home. The average homeowners insurance premium rose by around 3.1 percent.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

  • Structure or property damage: This coverage provides protection in case an incident causes damage to your house or the surrounding structures on your property, i.e. fences and driveways.
  • Possessions: This refers to any items you own, use, and store on the premises, i.e. electronics, tools, and furniture.
  • Bodily injury and property liability: In the unfortunate case that someone is injured on your property, this coverage may pay settlements (if the injured person chooses to sue) and medical bills.
  • Pet Bite Coverage: This may pay for injuries caused by your pet to another individual while on your property.
  • Loss of Use: Pays for any additional living expenses required while repairs are being made and the home is uninhabitable.
  • Personal Injury Coverage:Covers you in the event that someone is physically injured while on your property.

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania is $913 a month.

What Does it Not Cover?

Some insurance is extra and not included in home insurance. Make sure to check with your agent to determine what your policy covers. Homeowners insurance usually does not cover things like flood damage, sinkholes and termite/bug damage. There is also a general limit on items like jewelry, so make sure to speak with your agent if you have valuables that you’d like to insure, as it may not be covered by your homeowners policy.

What Does it Not Cover?

  • HO1 (Basic Form)
    • This is the most basic type of insurance that covers a small list of 11 issues: fire or smoke, lightning, explosions, hail, windstorms, theft, vandalism, damage from vehicles, damage from aircraft, riot and civil commotion, and volcanic eruption.
  • HO2 (Broad Form)
    • Covers HO1 and often includes coverage for possessions and liability.
  • HO3 (Special Form)
    • The most commonly used type of homeowners insurance, HO3 includes everything from HO2 and covers items not listed on the exclusions list.
  • HO4 (Renters Insurance)
    • Renters insurance provides coverage for the same perils as HO2 for those renting a living space.
  • HO5 (Comprehensive Form)
    • This insurance is nearly identical to HO3 except that this policy replaces lost or damaged property instead of giving cash value.
  • HO6 (Condo Form)
    • Basic home insurance for condo owners.
  • HO7 (Mobile Home Policy)
    • Coverage like HO3 available for mobile home owners.
  • HO8 (Older Home Form)
    • This coverage is made for homes 40 years old or older.

Is it possible to own a property without homeowners insurance?

This is perhaps one of the most common and important questions asked by property owners today. So if you’re asking it too, then here’s what you need to know.

There is indeed no specific law that requires homeowners insurance to own a property. But it is a safe and wise choice in most cases. Legally, you can own property without homeowners insurance. However in most cases, the ones who have a monetary interest in your property—which may include a home equity loan holder or a mortgage loan holder—will require it to be adequately insured. Insurance is also essential for property for your own financial security. Most homeowners prefer to have homeowner’s coverage for peace of mind, which is the basic and rational reason behind doing so. The fundamental reasons to invest in homeowners insurance is simply to make sure you’re prepared for whatever the future throws at you and your home.

Is it possible to own a property without homeowners insurance?

This is perhaps one of the most common and important questions asked by property owners today. So if you’re asking it too, then here’s what you need to know.

There is indeed no specific law that requires homeowners insurance to own a property. But it is a safe and wise choice in most cases. Legally, you can own property without homeowners insurance. However in most cases, the ones who have a monetary interest in your property—which may include a home equity loan holder or a mortgage loan holder—will require it to be adequately insured. Insurance is also essential for property for your own financial security. Most homeowners prefer to have homeowner’s coverage for peace of mind, which is the basic and rational reason behind doing so. The fundamental reasons to invest in homeowners insurance is simply to make sure you’re prepared for whatever the future throws at you and your home.

What Is the Actual Cash Value Versus Replacement Cost?

When insuring your house and your belongings, you can choose one of two paths: receiving actual cash value for the objects lost or receiving replacements. With the replacement route, the damages will be replaced or rebuilt based on what was lost. If you opt for actual cash value, you will receive money for the estimated value of the lost object, but this option is subject to the deduction of depreciation. This means the cash value of the object and/or home goes down over time.

Choosing an Auto Insurance Company

Selecting the appropriate coverage is just the first step. If you want to increase the chances of your claims being covered, you must also select a good insurance provider. When choosing an auto insurer, look for the attributes mentioned below:

  • Reasonable & Reliable- Insurance firms should be trustworthy and have adequate coverage for the fees they charge. There isn’t much of a price gap between insurance firms in some jurisdictions because of state laws. Companies will, however, quote different rates for comparable coverage in most states.
  • Coverage of Vehicle at all Times- Because of their lower overhead costs, many independent insurance firms offer lower rates than the large ones. But when an accident happens and the victim files an insurance claim, certain businesses may be difficult or uncooperative. “It’s not included in your policy,” they might say. That’s not what you want to hear when you’ve been paying your premiums for months and need them. Also, avoid using a local insurance company that does not cover accidents outside of the state.

How Much Home Insurance Should I Buy?

The amount of homeowners insurance required is contingent upon the homeowner and their needs. There are several different plans and optional coverages that are worth considering to protect you and your home depending on your location. Talk to your agent today and explore which policy is best for you.

If you are not a homeowner, and interested in taking appropriate insurance, renters insurance may be a good alternative.

When do you buy homeowners insurance?

Often people are confused about which point in the home buying process you should be getting homeowners insurance. Even though you do not own the property before closing, you should start shopping around as early as possible. You will ideally be comparing the available policies at least three weeks ahead of the date of closing. Most mortgage firms need proof of homeowners insurance before closing. This is also known as an insurance binder. This is to be obtained and presented at any point in-between the application process and the closing date. In certain situations this insurance binder must be presented several weeks before the closing date.

It’s wise to get homeowners insurance prior to closing your new property. It is even required if you are the one financing for the property, unless you have agreed to an escrow; as per the details of the escrow, you will be asked to prove that you have already prepaid at least one year’s coverage before the closing.

 

After all of these things have been confirmed, you will need to decide on how much coverage will best suit you and your needs. This largely depends on the value of the home in question, the value of the items which will reside there, and often the area in which you live. Home insurance protects your house and property even when you’re away from home, making it an excellent fail safe in the event that something occurs while you are away (i.e. a fire). Find the right policy for you and your family. People often prefer to also take health insurance and life insurance in addition to their homeowners insurance, for maximum coverage.

 

If you are looking forward to buying Homeowners Insurance Philadelphia, go through these pieces of information to settle for the right choice at the right time. If you are looking forward to buying Homeowners Insurance Philadelphia, go through these pieces of information to settle for the right choice at the right time.

Why will applying for homeowners insurance always keep you ahead of the curve?

As per homeowners insurance statistics, property owners have a wide array of reasons to invest in insurance. This step is impossible to neglect when it comes to securing the most valuable form of property: real estate. So, here are some of the justifications as to why property buyers and owners choose homeowners Insurance Philadelphia.

 

The foremost reason why homeowner’s insurance is essential is that it offers security beyond just protecting the house itself. The security covers your patio, garage, deck, and front or backyards— even your fence. These are the areas most affected when a natural disaster occurs, and the costs can stack up before you know it. Many add-ons in homeowners insurance policies explicitly secure elements contained within your home, such as electronics, appliances, and furniture.

 

Though it might feel like an extra expenditure, the security you gain is well worth the money you invest. There are various types of homeowners insurance; each packaged differs in details, the nature of which you can learn about from a home insurance broker Philadelphia is home to. You can choose an option that is affordable to you at the moment while still attaining the countless benefits that it provides.

 

The right homeowners insurance can safeguard you from lawsuits. Depending on the option that you opt for, you will be able to protect yourself as well as your family significantly from any property-related disputes. Many property-related issues can arise in the long run. This may include reputational harms, severe property damages, breaching of a contract; the list goes on and on. A sudden, unwanted property-related lawsuit typically demands a high level of financial security, which ideally will come through your homeowners insurance policy.

 

Your insurance should cover you in the most unfortunate and challenging times: whether your property or your belongings are damaged naturally or accidentally. Mechanical damage, a sudden fire, or a powerful storm are some of the most common disasters. If you choose a good insurance option some plans will also cover the medical charges of the guests present when the property was damaged.

 

The simple choice to get homeowners insurance can provide you with ultimate peace of mind from all sides as a homeowner, by replacing for your losses, building equity, securing your future, and much more. Get in touch with us to access a wide range of insurance buying options, drilled down to their details, and find the best available choice. We aim to spot ideal insurers for your property in light of likely scenarios so that you can get the best coverage you need.

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Explore how having the right insurance can protect you from the unexpected.

Secondary Home


Risk Factor

Owning a secondary home has the potential of increasing your liability exposures.

Solution

Be certain that you extend the liability coverage under your homeowners policy to include your secondary home. You should also consider including the secondary home under an excess liability or umbrella policy to provide for additional liability limits.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Umbrella / Excess Liability Coverage


Risk Factor

You invite guests over for a pool party and one of your guests dives into the shallow end of the pool and is permanently injured. They hire a lawyer to represent them and after a long legal battle, you and your family are left financially responsible for their injuries. Do you have enough money in savings to cover your legal responsibilities as well as the legal defense costs?

Solution

An umbrella or excess liability policy increases your personal liability limits by adding protection over and above your current auto, boat, or homeowners policies-providing financial value and security. Excess liability insurance is available either by an endorsement to your homeowners policy or available as separate coverage.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Miscellaneous Coverage


Risk Factor

The fun that comes with having a trampoline in your backyard can also be accompanied by serious risks, which may not be covered under your standard homeowners insurance policy since coverage varies from state to state and between insurance companies.

Solution

You should make sure your homeowners insurance policy covers your trampoline, as many insurance providers refuse to take on trampoline liability and exclude the item from coverage.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Medical Expenses


Risk Factor

If a guest is injured while on your property, even when it’s due to a friendly game of baseball, you may be required to pay any medical expenses associated with their injury.

Solution

Your homeowners policy should include medical expenses coverage to take care of injuries and treatment - generally not of a serious nature. In the event a person is injured on your property and requires medical attention, you would be able to submit the injury-related medical expenses to your insurance carrier. Medical expenses are usually paid without a liability claim being filed against you.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Personal Liability


Risk Factor

In the unfortunate event that someone slips and falls while on your property, you and your family may be held liable for any injuries that result.

Solution

Your homeowners policy includes personal liability coverage to respond to incidents where injuries or damages occur to a third party where you may be deemed negligent. However, you should consider purchasing a personal umbrella or excess liability policy to provide additional coverage limits to protect your assets in case a lawsuit is brought against you.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Valuable Possessions


Risk Factor

Typically, there is a sublimit on homeowner insurance policies for valuable possessions, such as jewelry, furs, fine arts, and other collectibles.

Solution

Obtain a personal floater or schedule your valuable possessions to ensure you’ll have the money to replace them.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Personal Property / Contents - Property Damage


Risk Factor

When your home suffers damage due to an unexpected event, your personal property is also at risk. Furniture, appliances, clothing, electronics, and other personal items can also be damaged or destroyed.

Solution

Your homeowners insurance policy typically covers personal property, including the contents of your home and other personal items owned by you or family members who live with you. Make sure your homeowners policy includes replacement cost coverage for personal property so that you always receive the full cost to replace whatever item is damaged.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Fire


Risk Factor

Most fires are devastating. Besides the emotional impact, the physical damage to your home can be significant. If you lost your home to fire, do you have adequate insurance to replace your home and its contents? Remember, inflation rates on building materials and construction costs rarely track with real estate values. As a result, rebuilding a home can often cost significantly more than expected.

Solution

Make sure your homeowners policy contains replacement cost coverage with no cap. This protects you if the cost to reconstruct your home is higher than your current limit of coverage. And, be sure that your insurance includes rebuilding your home to code. Very often, local ordinances and building codes change over time, which may require additional costs.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Wine Collection


Risk Factor

If you are a connoisseur of wine, you know that it is susceptible to outside environmental exposures that can ruin it. If the collection is damaged, coverage from your homeowners policy is a possible recourse. However, the damage is only insurable if it is a covered cause of loss as outlined in your homeowners policy. A deductible would also apply.

Solution

If you have a sizable wine collection, you may want to consider scheduling the collection on your homeowners policy. Doing so expands your coverage and eliminates the deductible in case of a loss. You can also consider unique coverages for wine, such as for spoilage.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Personal Injury / Defamation


Risk Factor

Young people are usually very active online. However, using social media and other sites can increase the possibility of them directly or indirectly damaging someone's reputation and exposing you, the parent, to a lawsuit.

Solution

Your homeowners insurance policy includes liability coverage for property damage caused by any member in the family, but likely does not cover rumors or statements that damage a reputation. You may need to seek additional coverage to include liability protection that covers personal injury or defamation.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Collector Cars


Risk Factor

Collector or classic vehicles often have significant value and require special documentation and unique insurance coverage to ensure they are adequately protected. Even if stored on your property, they are typically not covered under your homeowners insurance.

Solution

Insure your collector cars with a specialized insurance company that focuses on and understands the unique nature of collector or classic cars and other vehicles.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Water Damage


Risk Factor

Whether entering from outside your home from a flood or from within your home’s plumbing system, water damage is the most common cause of loss to a home. Many policies exclude losses caused by backup of sewers and drains, and all unendorsed homeowner policies exclude damage caused by a flood.

Solution

Careful review is essential to protect your home and belongings from all sources of water damage. We recommend coverage solutions from insurance companies that include backup of sewers and drains. Also, identify cost efficient solutions to address the risk of flood damage in the first place.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Off-Premises Theft


Risk Factor

Surprisingly, standard auto insurance does not cover personal property or contents stolen from your car.

Solution

Most homeowners policies offer an option to include off-premises theft coverage as an endorsement, which covers you for theft of your personal property away from your residence.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Additional Living Expense / Loss of Use


Risk Factor

When there is substantial damage to your home due to unexpected events such as lightning, fire, or a storm, you may not be able to live in your home until it can be repaired or rebuilt–potentially incurring additional living expenses for lodging, food, and other daily needs.

Solution

Ensure that your homeowners insurance policy provides additional living expense or loss of use coverage to compensate you for the additional costs you incur for reasonable housing and living expenses if a covered event makes your house temporarily uninhabitable while it's being repaired or rebuilt.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.

Flood Coverage


Risk Factor

You do not have to live near a body of water to suffer loss due to flooding. With the changing weather patterns and more damaging storms occurring around the globe, flood losses are becoming more common in places that are not normally prone to flood damage. Your homeowners policy does not cover damage from flood. Could your home be at risk?

Solution

Purchase a flood insurance policy to protect your home and covered contents from certain types of flood losses as designated by the National Flood Insurance Program. A flood policy is purchased as a separate policy through the federal program (NFIP) or through a servicing carrier known as a write your own carrier.


Note: Actual policies must be consulted for specific terms and conditions.