Are you trying to find the best home insurance but aren’t sure where to look? Getting great homeowners insurance involves understanding what is included in a standard policy and having it customized for your needs. Here at Heinen and Associates, we can locate an affordable insurance policy for you and make sure it covers everything you need to have financially protected. To learn more about home insurance, keep reading.
Why an Independent Insurance Agent May Be Able to Get You the Best Home Insurance Policy for Your Needs
When it comes to getting the best home insurance policy for your budget and circumstances, an independent insurance agent may be able to offer more options. This is because insurance carriers all have their own formulas for underwriting insurance policies, which can affect the cost. For example, insurance carrier A may weigh your credit score heavier than insurance carrier B, which means if you choose a policy from Carrier A, you’ll pay more in monthly premiums than if you chose Carrier B.
An independent insurance agent can input your specific information and retrieve quotes from multiple insurance carriers and sort them by the factors that are most important to you. Then, that agent can explain the policies in detail so that you can choose the best one for your needs.
Understanding What a Basic Home Insurance Policy Covers
A basic home insurance policy covers the building on your property and the items you have stored inside those buildings. This typically includes garages, sheds, and your house. Coverages typically include maximum amounts that the insurance agency will pay if your buildings or personal property get damaged, so it is very important to make sure that the maximum amounts cover the replacement costs.
- Damage to your home from a covered event
- Damage to outbuildings on the property from a covered event
- Damage to personal property and items stored inside your buildings
- Additional living expenses if your home cannot be occupied after damage occurs
- Coverage for accidents that happen to other people who are on your property
- Medical expenses coverage for individuals who are not living on the property but get injured and need medical attention
Qualifying for Home Insurance Coverage
When it comes to qualifying for a home insurance policy, it’s very important to make sure your home is in good repair. Home insurance policies do not cover damage that occurs due to a lack of maintenance. This means that if you have not had your roof inspected and repaired recently, the insurance agency won’t pay for a new roof, even if additional damage was caused by a storm. Additional factors that may limit your coverage or disqualify you include:
- Having a business on the property
- Having a criminal history
- Living in a high crime area
- Not paying past premiums on time
- Filing too many claims on past home insurance policies
Getting Affordable Home Insurance
The good news is that you can get affordable home insurance. Our insurance agents listen to all your needs, including the total replacement cost of your home, any luxury items you may own and any expensive collections you may have stored or displayed in your home. Then, our agent searches for policies and makes adjustments according to your needs. The last step is often choosing a deductible amount. This is the amount you are willing to pay if damage occurs to your home. Most homeowners choose $1,000 or more, and the higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premiums.
To get a quote for home insurance, give our independent agent at Heinen and Associates a call at 920-458-9724.