Home Insurance
For many of us
our home is our most valuable possession. The time to think about
the unthinkable disaster is before it happens to you. If your home
were damaged or destroyed, insurance can help you repair or rebuild
your home and replace damaged possessions.
The main purpose
of insurance is to protect you against losses you cannot afford.
Few people have the financial resources to rebuild their homes. In
addition to protecting your home and possessions, homeowners
insurance also provides liability coverage to protect you from
financial ruin if someone is injured on your property and sues for
damages.
A homeowners
insurance policy consists of coverage for your dwelling and your
personal property. It also includes liability insurance which pays
for injuries to other people or damages to their property
accidentally caused by you, your family or your pets. You also can
buy several types of additional insurance for property that is not
listed in your homeowners policy or for perils not covered such as
flood for which you need a separate policy. You do this by either
buying a separate policy or by adding an endorsement or rider to
your policy.
Tips for
Keeping Your Rates Low
There are some
simple steps you can take to reduce your homeowner s
premiums.
- Raise Your Deductible - A
deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance starts to pay
for your loss. Since the purpose of insurance is to pay for the
losses you cannot afford, raise your deductible to a limit that you
could handle in case of a loss.
- New Home - If your home is less
than 10 years old, you may be eligible for a new home discount.
- Make Your Home Safer - You may
be eligible for a discount if you have a burglar and fire alarms
systems and/or sprinkler systems. Monitored systems will earn a
bigger discount than unmonitored systems.
- Construction Material - When
you buy a home, look for fire-resistant construction, such as
brick, masonry or rock. You may pay a lower premium for
hail-resistant roofs, such as those made of concrete tile, while
wood roofs may bring a surcharge. Check the location of the nearest
fire department, and avoid buying in floodprone areas. Non-Smoker
Discounts
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