Sunday, October 4, 2009

Understand How to Deal with Homeowners Insurance

By Matti Badshaw

Are you paying too much for homeowners insurance? Are you one of the many first time home owners who needs to find coverage for the first time? Either way, it is very important to learn a few things before you buy a policy for your house. After all, for most of us, our homes are the largest asset we own.

Look at the policy you are buying. It will cover your home, but also outside buildings, personal belongings, and even more. Policies usually include liability insurance in case a visitor claims an injury. In addition, a relocation assistance clause can really help if you cannot inhabit your home while it is being rebuilt or repaird.

We are concerned with finding the best homeowners insurance rate deals, but also with finding the best coverage. Please be patient so you can understand your policy when you do buy it. I would hate for anybody to save twenty dollars on premiums, only to find they did not buy good coverage.

The Actual Building You Live In - Your house must be insured, of course. Your coverage will probably be for more than you paid for the house, and more than its stated value. An older home that sold for $125,000 will probably cost more than that to rebuild if it is destroyed.

Outside Structures - Do you have a fence, a shed, or a pool. These can be expensive to rebuild or repair too, so make sure you understand how they will be covered.

Liability - If a visitor to your home claims injury, you could be sued. Make sure your insurer will back you up!

Relocation - If you cannot stay in your home because it needs repairs, an insurer can help you out.

Contents Insurance - You also need to have protection for the things inside your home. They could be stolen or damaged. I would advise you to consider covering them at their replacement value, and not the value they are right now. Your washing machine may only cost one fifty at a used appliance store, but four times that if you bought it new.

Now that you understand what a typical homeowner, who lives in the house they cover, gets in a homeowners insurance policy, you can begin to find good deals.

Insurance rates are local, but beyond that, different companies offer their own premium schedules, and their own discounts. One insurer may reduce their premium for customers who also cover their car with them, but they do not all do this. Another may cut 10% for installing a burglar alarm, while another may cut rates fifteen percent. It is important to find the best insurer for a person like you.

Many top insurers do not offer their lowest rates to customers with credit issues, even if many other factors are in their favor. If you have had some credit challenges, you may need to shop for an insurer who does not weigh this factor.

I encourage you to consider an online quote form. Type in the basic facts about your home, enter, and then relax. Top competitive insurers will send you their rates and plans so you can compare.

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