Question:
Are you keeping your house in good condition?
Keep Up With Regular Maintenance
Normal wear and tear around the house is not covered by homeowner's insurance policies. If you have a leaky pipe that you put off fixing for months and then end up with severe water damage, you're out of luck. This is considered to be normal maintenance. Neglecting things until they are in disrepair and need to be replaced will not work, because under your insurance plan you are expected to keep up with regular maintenance.
So the better shape you keep your home in the better off you will be. Any claims that you file should be legitimate. You can run into several problems if you file an excessive number of complaints without merit that are rejected. If you want to save on homeowners insurance, a string of bad claims is not going to help.
Also, keep in mind what your deductible is and the cost of repairs/replacement. In some cases, it might be cheaper to pay out of pocket. And the more you stay on top of regular house maintenance the less often you should have to use your insurance.
Home Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Are you feeling overwhelmed by insurance info?
Have you talked about insurance with your family?
Is the site you are using secure and is your firewall/anti-virus software up to date?
Have you checked your insurer's annual statement filed with the Dep. of Insurance?
Do you have coverage for additional structures like sheds and garages?
Is the site you got your quote from reliable and informative?
Have you ever compared quotes online?
What are the benefits of online comparisons?
Are you comparing the right quotes?
Do you check auto and health quotes regularly, too?
Are you focusing on the right types of policies?
Do insurance quotes come with any obligation?
Is there a discrepancy that you cannot understand?
Did you look at homeowner's insurance company ratings?
Did you ask friends and family what insurance they have?
Were they polite when you contacted them?
Do they offer ways for you to save in the future?
What insurance companies are licensed in your state?
Are lower rates always better?
Should I take photos of valuables and renovations in my house?
Do you know what your provider's claim guidelines are?
What should you do for insurance purposes after your home is hit by a natural disaster?
What should I do when a claim is the result of a crime?
How do you handle claim disputes?
What condition is your home in?
Do you live in a rural or urban area?
Are you planning to put a pool in?
Is the inspector you chose bonded?
Do you have all the proper permits and know all the building codes necessary?
Have you notified your insurer of planned renovations?
Have you had your valuables appraised?
Does my homeowners insurance cover all my possessions?
What is replacement vs cash value?
What should I do if my policy is not going to be renewed?
Are you always honest and accurate with insurance claims?
Does your mortgage require a minimum insurance policy?
Have you done your homework on insurance companies?
What are the most and least expensive insurance states?
Doers anyone in your family smoke?
Should I go with a lower or higher deductible?
Do you have a home security system?
Do you have smoke and CO2 detectors?
Are you keeping your house in good condition?
Have you looked into multiple policy discounts?
Have you looked into organization discounts?
Have you had your valuables appraised recently?
Can my credit score affect my insurance rates?
Have you factored insurance costs into your monthly budget?
Have you thought about not having home insurance?
Can you take the more expensive of 2 plans and still save?
Do you follow what is happening in the insurance industry?
Do insurance companies ever offer incentive-based savings?
Is insurance for part-time homes different than full-time?
Where can I get flood protection?
What are endorsements and riders?
What are extended and guaranteed replacement cost coverages?
Do I need sewage backup protection?
Do I need to have earthquake insurance for my home?
| Guru Spotlight |
| Jolyn Wells-Moran |
