Buying Home Insurance? Here’s What You Need to Know

Quick, think of a natural disaster that destroyed homes, commercial property and government infrastructure. Can’t zero in on any one of them? That’s because of late, there have been so many incidents, it is difficult to remember just one. Earthquakes damaging homes, floods ravaging even urban areas, fires spreading like, well, wild fire, means natural calamities can wreak havoc with your dream home and cause some serious damage to your pocket.

The sensible thing to do is to take remedial action in advance, and not wait for disaster to strike. Preventive care is the best care. And when it comes to safeguarding your most expensive asset, you cannot afford to be negligent. But, somehow we are not very inclined towards securing our home by shelling out some money to buy adequate cover. Most of us think it is a waste of funds. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only is it essential to have home insurance, it’s not even expensive. Just consider it as a non-optional expense for maintaining your home.

Now that you are convinced you have to insure your home, what’s the best way of going about it? Here’s what you need to know:

What to Insure?

The first thing to do is to decide exactly what kind of coverage you need. You can opt for either basic fire insurance, or the Householder’s Package Policy (HPP). An HPP will protect you against natural calamities such as fire, lightning, storms and floods. But the best thing about an HPP is that it protects you against riots as well. Some insurance companies will charge an extra premium in order to cover earthquakes and landslides. You can also insure your structure and its contents against terrorism if you opt for an add-on cover. An HPP also offers optional cover that insures the contents of your house against burglary, damage, and mechanical or electrical breakdown.

Opt for a plan depending on whether you want to insure just the land and the structure, or also the contents of your home. However, it is always advisable to take comprehensive home insurance, as it covers most eventualities.

Underinsuring Does Not Work

Since most Indians think of home insurance as an indulgence, or an unnecessary expense, they end up undervaluing their own property to save on the premium. It is self-defeating to undervalue your precious home. Look at it this way: you are insuring your home to get adequate relief, should anything go wrong, and not to save a few bucks. If you under-insure your property, you will not get sufficient cover to restore and repair your home if and when the need arises.

Compare Policies before Buying One

It is imperative to compare home insurance policies before choosing one. You must have seen any number of ads on TV, telling you to compare policies before zeroing in on the one you think is the best. That’s the right message to take. So, go online, check out your options, have a frank discussion with your agent, and only then finalize your policy.

Learn to Compute the Premium

The amount you shell out for your policy will be determined by several factors — are you in a risky area/seismic zone? Do you live in a metro or a smaller city, a house or a flat, a lower floor or a higher floor (in case of a multi-storied building)? Depending on these factors, you can figure out the premium you should have to pay for your policy.

[Source: http://moneyview.in/blog/2017/02/home-insurance-what-you-need-to-know/]

Home insurance under-purchased product in India

Even though there has been an increase in the number of home buyers in the country over the past few years, the number of buyers purchasing home insurance is fairly low. People tend to not purchase home insurance policy mostly due to the lack of awareness and myth surrounding it that it comes with high premiums and involves complex processes.

“Home insurance penetration in the country is extremely low, the main reason behind the poor demand for this type of insurance is due to lack of awareness about availability of any such product and apprehension that that it will be very costly and difficult to get any claim as documentation is too cumbersome,” 

Considering the climatic changes and frequent occurrences of natural hazards (flood in Chennai, cyclone in Andhra Pradesh and cloudburst in Uttarakhand) across country, it has become all the more important right now to buy this product than ever before. “Purchasing a home insurance plan won’t prevent these natural calamities from happening. However, such plans can ease the financial stress while restoring the damaged property, says Satapathy.

Provides coverage against natural and man-made calamities: A home insurance policy provides financial protection in case your house is damaged due to natural or man-made calamities like floods, earthquakes, fires or vandalism. The floods in Uttarakhand and Chennai, for instance, caused mass destruction, leaving those who did not have home insurance having to bear huge losses.

Content cover for personal belongings: Given the increasing rate of crime in the country, acquiring a home insurance policy for covering personal valuables and belongings is a must. Advanced home insurance packages also safeguard the contents of your home like furniture, art work, jewellery or electronics. You can insure your contents by either buying a cover that accounts for depreciation, or on the basis of reinstatement.

Coverage of temporary living expenses: Say your insured house has undergone some damage and is uninhabitable until you rebuild/renovate it. During the rebuilding/ renovation process, if you rent out another house and apartment to stay there until your own house gets back to a livable condition, the insurance company will cover your expenses incurred for paying rent. The upper cap for this amount is set according to the policy wordings provided by the insurer.

Under some home insurance packages, you can also make a claim for personal accident, for payment compensation for partial or permanent disability due to an accident.

Makes it easier to avail a house loan from banks: Some banks give preference to those customers (for sanctioning a home loan to them) who have the home insured. For certain financiers, home insurance is, in fact, one of the major eligibility criteria for availing a home loan.

[Source: http://propertyblogs.in/home-insurance-under-purchased-product-in-india/]

HOME INSURANCE

When Your Home Insurer Knocks at the Door

If you’ve bought a home, you know what a home inspection is all about. If the home inspector does their job right, you will have a clear view of what shape the building is in. You’ll move in feeling confident and aware of the renovations and repairs you may need to undertake in the months and years ahead—but this might not be the last home inspection. Don’t be surprised if your insurance company wants to pay a visit after you move in and get home insurance.

What’s your home insurance company looking for?

Home insurance typically protects homeowners from a myriad of risks; theft, storms, fire, and injury claims. Insurers, on the other hand, rely on an accurate assessment of the condition of the properties they insure. In some cases, the homeowner only needs to verbally provide the information needed, however, depending on the home’s age and area, home insurance companies may require a certified inspection to verify the property’s condition.

If your home insurer decides to send someone out, a few things they may be looking at might include your home’s:

Electrical service

Some types of wiring pose a higher risk of causing an electrical fire, especially after many years of use. Everyone is familiar with the risks around knob and tube wiring, but your home insurer may also be looking at a 60-amp electrical service with concern too.

Plumbing

Older pipes are at higher risk of cracks, ruptures or leaks, and specifically homes built prior to 1950 often have galvanized steel pipes, which are estimated to have a life expectancy of just 40 to 50 years. If the plumbing hasn’t been replaced, then the insurance company will want to know in order to properly assess the risk.

Oil tank

Oil tanks can cause major environmental damage if they leak, and the clean-up costs can be huge (upwards to $15,000). If you have an oil tank, expect a lot questions about its age and condition.

Wood-burning stove(s)

If your home has a wood-burning stove, your home insurer may want to confirm that it is installed and used properly and may want a certified technician to inspect it.

Roof

Your roof helps to keep the outside from coming inside and if it’s in need of replacing, it could cause considerable damage during a storm.

Potential for liability claims

Part of your home insurance policy includes liability coverage in case someone is injured while on your property. A home insurance inspection will look for anything that raises a red flag. Two prime examples would be any stairs you may have in the home, as well as a pool. With the stairs, the home insurer will be looking to make sure there are hand rails, and with the pool that it’s properly fenced in.

Replacement value

Your insurance provider will want to know the replacement cost of your home and it’ll often use this home inspection to figure it out. This is different from determining the value of your home, because it factors in the cost of labour and materials to rebuild, as well as the possessions that you brought into the home after you moved in. If, as a result of your home insurer’s inspection it’s determined that your home’s replacement value needs to be increased, you’re home insurance premiums will likely increase too.

Your home insurer has come a knockin’. Do you have to let them in?

Probably. The fine print on home insurance policies usually gives home insurers the right to examine a property they have been asked to cover, and if you opt not to allow them access then they can opt not to provide you the coverage you’re seeking. That said, your home insurer will not show up, or send somebody, unannounced. Your insurer will notify you in advance of a home inspection and set up a mutually agreed upon time. If someone comes to your house, unannounced, saying they’re from the insurance company, play it safe and don’t allow them in and contact your insurer immediately.

[Source: https://www.insurancehotline.com/when-your-home-insurer-knocks-at-the-door/]

Personal Floaters and Home Insurance Policy

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Secure Your Home Before Leaving for Vacation

Make the right purchase of your first Homeowners Insurance policy

Your house is your greatest asset and one which you cannot manage to loose so make sure you do not skimp on your homeowner's insurance.

Unlike car insurance, it is legal to be in possession of a house without taking out homeowners insurance, but then the chance is you will need to make Homeowners Insurance Cleveland out to insure the building if a third party lender funds your residence.

Homeowners insurance is usually categorized into two fundamental groups, content, and building. Many people do not take out any insurance against the contents of their house and take the risk, but they likely have never worked out how much it'd cost to replace everything they possess.

Others do not pay much attention to the quantity of indebtedness cover contained in their homeowner's insurance. For me, this is an enormous risk. They are going to be asserting against your homeowner's insurance if a person owns an injury in your house and should you not have the cover they could subsequently be looking for damages to you!

The component of your homeowner's insurance that relates to the building insures you for the cost of rebuilding your house as well as other buildings (that you possess) in the immediate area of your home (including garages and summer homes) in a case of fire or other catastrophes. You should ensure your insurance covers you for the entire expense of rebuilding your house and clearing the site.

The contents of your home insurance will insure you for everything within your house including carpet, drapes, clothing and furniture (anything that's not classed as structural). Your homeowner's insurance will also generally insure you for stolen or lost cash and credit prices and loss or injury to your personal property. It is not extremely difficult to underestimate the level of homeowners insurance you need, for contents, so the most practical way would be to do a complete stock of everything you possess.

As mentioned previously, never leave yourself endangered by not ensuring that you are covered by your homeowner's insurance to a satisfactory degree for third party indebtedness. If a person falls the stairs and trips, you will need enough insurance and liability protection could be just what you want if you pet someone else's property if you not have pet insurance.

The cost of homeowners insurance diversifies depending on the size of the house such things as level of cover, type of home, a value of personal properties as well as the region where you reside. You are going to get a homeowner insurance estimates from Insurance Agency Cleveland to receive a full knowledge of how much your homeowner's insurance will undoubtedly cost.

[Source: http://articles.abilogic.com/171380/make-right-purchase-your-first.html]

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Home Insurance

Home Insurance and Contents of Your Home

Your home insurance policy will cover: your 'home in the composition of "any damage to buildings, the cost of their goods stolen, and any additional costs and expenses for a certain period of time you stay in your home unable are. home insurance policies typically come with liability coverage.

phrase structure of the home for "as it is near your house and all other buildings (that you surely only) refers to like a tool shed and / or a detached garage. Your house roof, walls, windows, and pipes are all included in that phrase and if anything happens to those areas, you will cover.

Actually , a "whole" as your home, all damage is covered. If theft is a problem in your area, your home insurance as the rest should keep in your mind. Of course, being robbed some people think the idea of ​​want, but it happens every day. If you really are a victim of theft, your home insurance will cover all of the stuff in your home. Unfortunately, you just You were robbed and a Xbox 360 your 60 "plasma TV, $ 500 stereo, computer, DVD player, PlayStation 3, says not steal, and insurance provider, you can expect to pay a big Czech. The work that way does not.

It is true that you may have had all those things, but the home insurance provider will not take just their word for it. Obviously, a certain amount of stolen goods you will be covered, but it's important to take careful inventory of your property as often as possible to update your policy.

Thats not to say your policy should be updated every time you buy something new, but you should do every few months, twice a year or at the very least, the. Or other cause extensive damage if you are unable to stay at home, your home insurance will cover the cost of its policy accommodation, food and accommodation as.

However, the specific part of your policy will vary, as every home insurance provider is different. Liability coverage in your policy basically takes care of legal and medical expenses. This means that if / when a person injuring themselves while in your home, you will cover upcoming expenses. For example, a house guest slipped and fell down a flight of stairs in your house. In the process he broke his hand, he decided to sue you. Home insurance policy that covers some legal failure, and in the process you will save a lot of time and money.

[Source: http://www.sooperarticles.com/finance-articles/insurance-articles/home-insurance-contents-your-home-478869.html?page_tag=aVyUFJUmrcf0fWYeoUEMWfS0C8Tn4Rt7rKrdwgKkA94hNU_aFkSSfGtt9z9iZhRWzFBWY1XDgJwyAWk_ls3g6g~~]

What is Empty Property Insurance?

Any property can become empty at any time under many different circumstances. When a property is unoccupied a standard house insurance policy will only usually provide cover for up to 30 days. This is when one must obtain an empty property insurance policy to keep their asset properly insured against risks such as fire, storm damage, theft etc.

There could be any number of reasons why a property may become vacant. The property could be a recent purchase by a landlord and is undergoing renovation prior to either letting it or selling it on. The property owner may have moved on and their current property has become empty until a new purchaser is found. The property owner could be erecting a new extension and has decided to move out of their property whilst the works are being carried out. Whatever the reason it is still crucial to ensure that the empty property is sufficiently insured. If there is a mortgage outstanding on the building then the lender will insist on some form of insurance cover on the premises.

There are specialist insurance companies and brokers in the UK that specifically cater for the needs of a property owner with an empty building. Insurers and brokers that offer unoccupied property insurance quotes will normally have extensive knowledge on this subject and can help with risk management advice. Under an empty property insurance contract, the terms and conditions will differ from those of a standard home insurance policy. Get your advisor to go through with these in detail. There could be conditions on locks, how the water is left and how often the premises need to be visited etc. These conditions will vary from insurer to insurer.

Normally a property may be empty for 3 to 6 month but in certain scenarios it could be vacant for a year or even longer. If the property owner is certain that the property is not going to be empty for longer than 3 or 6 months then some insurers will offer a short term policy. A short term unoccupied property insurance policy can also be purchased online from some insurance companies. The property may be empty but as a property owner you still have duty and care to treat the premises as if there is no insurance cover in place.

A few basic rules in taking care to minimise the risks to your empty property include making sure all accessible windows and external doors are fitted with good locks, turning off the water supply and draining the system, installing an alarm system if budget allows it. Also visiting the property periodically to clear any post and to keep the lawn mowed. Give the property a look that says it not unoccupied. Install timer switches for the lights to turn on and off at random times.

Some insurers will also convert the empty property insurance policy to a landlords let property policy if you decide to rent the premises during the term of your policy. Or it could be converted to a standard home insurance policy if you move in yourself. Insuring a property that is vacant is essential and expert advice is crucial to ensure that the level of cover you obtain meets your exact needs.

[Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-Empty-Property-Insurance?&id=3044621]