HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE

When you begin that search for your perfect home, you may prefer looking at newer properties or perhaps, the old world charm of older homes, but if you prefer the latter, you may run into some issues with insuring it. Many insurance companies have enforced tighter underwriting restrictions for one simple reason. When it comes to having the right type of protection for what may be your biggest investment yet, you may find there are potential insurance problems with older homes because they pose a much higher risk of the frequency and severity of claims. Sealing the Deal May Not Be As Easy As You Think You spent 6 months searching for the house that [...]

Leaving your home for an extended period of time may void your N.C. homeowners insurance coverage so you must be aware of the difference between your home being vacant versus unoccupied.  According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, your home may be considered “vacant” if unoccupied for 60 days or more.  The reason insurance companies have this type of stipulation/guideline  directly correlates to the higher increase in risk for a catastrophic loss to take place when nobody is there to observe or mitigate the claim(s) once it happens.  If your home is vacant, will you know how to insure your vacant home? The Difference Between Vacant and Unoccupied  There are some defining factors when [...]

Your roof is a crucial component of your home and if you have ever experienced a leaking roof, you know you must act quickly before the damages worsen, but if you are a homeowner that has been a victim of storm damages or just simply need a new roof, don’t fall victim to certain roofing scams that are becoming more prevalent. Before you open your door to the next salesman, beware of roofing scams that could be financially devastating and could leave your roof and wallet worse than before. Scammers Can Create Their Own Hurricane of Damages This type of scenario happens all the time. A hurricane hits a specified area producing catastrophic damages to [...]

When searching for homes to purchase, you most likely took the time to determine where you wanted to live, along with the amenities that each home offered, until you found one that fit your criteria.  However, when it came to choosing your homeowners insurance coverage, did you take the time to find the type of homeowners insurance coverage that fit your specific needs pertaining to your home and budget?  Not all homeowners policies are built the same.  If fact, there are 7 losses usually not covered by homeowners insurance, of which you may not be aware. A typical N.C. homeowners insurance policy has many policy provisions, conditions, and exclusions of which you need to be [...]

One thing you must know when you are looking for N.C. homeowners insurance coverage is that not all homeowners insurance policies are built the same. While many advertisers claim to have the cheapest price around, those cheaper policies may also leave you with the most coverage gaps in your coverage, potentially leaving you responsible for out of pocket expenses. Before you sign on the dotted line for your homeowners insurance, make sure you know 4 important homeowners insurance coverages you may not have, but should consider. Utility Line Insurance Coverage- If you experience a water/sewer pipe break that results in damages to your home, your typical N.C. homeowners insurance policy would exclude coverage for this; [...]

Today, everything seems to cost more, from gasoline, home costs, and even your homeowners insurance. In fact, homeowners insurance rates in the U.S. have doubled in the last 20 years and even though as a homeowner you can’t afford NOT to have it, there are tips to saving money on your homeowners insurance. Bundle your home and auto policies- Typically, when you bundle 2 or more policies under the same insurance carrier, you are eligible for a substantial discount. Choose a higher deductible- Consider the highest deductible you could possible absorb “out of pocket” if a covered loss happened. If you choose a higher deductible, it could mean significant savings. Let your local N.C. independent [...]

Owning a home means insects, animals, rodents, or vermin may take up residence in your home rent free, causing damages that could be extensive. Ants, bees, raccoons, mice and many other “uninvited” creatures are always looking for entry into a place that is warm and protected and this place may be YOUR home, but does your homeowners insurance cover damage caused from animals and pests? Pesky Problems Imagine lying in bed one night and hearing scratching and squeaking noises in the wall next to your bed. Eyes wide open, you are terrified to discover there are mice living in your wall. You start investigating to find some electrical wires that appear to be gnawed upon [...]

Receiving a gift of jewelry or being handed down a rare coin collection from your uncle is priceless; however, if something happens to these valuable pieces, from theft or loss, you could be left with a costly price tag if you don’t have the right type of coverage to protect your valuables. Are your valuables covered? This Happens All the Time You go on vacation, but decide to leave your irreplaceable, expensive jewelry pieces at home because you are afraid of either losing them or having them stolen. When you return home, you find that your home has been broken into, ransacked, and ALL of your jewelry stolen! Your diamond anniversary ring, grandmother’s emerald necklace, [...]