Homeowners Insurance Quotes

Because you never know when disaster could strike, ensuring that your most valuable assets – home and property – are protected are one of the first things a homeowner will have on his list of things to do. Mortgage lenders also want to protect their investment and require you to have coverage as long as they carry your mortgage. Making sure that you have enough coverage is our job. Together we can evaluate your needs and find a premium that will fit your budget.

Homeowners insurance covers the structure of your home, your personal property inside and outside your home, as well as your personal legal responsibility (or liability) for injuries to others while on your property. Insurance companies use a variety of factors to evaluate how much coverage you need, which affects your homeowners insurance quote. As a homeowner you should understand the variables, as they will be the determining factors that will make up your insurance quote and ensure that you are getting the full coverage that you need at a price you can afford.

Here are a few of the variables we consider when making a quote to a prospective homeowner:

  • What will it cost to rebuild your home? Not the purchase price or market value price. You will have to make an estimate based on current financial trends and other factors to determine the replacement cost of your home and any of its contents.
  • Is your home made of brick or wood? Quotes are typically lower for homes that are constructed of brick or masonry than for wood frame homes. This is not necessarily the case but will be one of the factors that we evaluate.
  • What is the distance between your home and the nearest water source or fire department? 
  • What is the age and condition of your home? Quotes and be higher for older homes and homes in poor condition than for newer homes and homes in better condition.
  • How many claims have been made previously for your home and the other homes in your area?
  • Will you insure your home and autos with the same insurance company?
  • How long have you been with your current insurance company?
  • How is your credit history? 
  • What is your previous claim history for water damage, fire, theft or liability on homes you’ve owned?
  • What protection devices such as smoke detectors, a burglar alarm, a sprinkler system, deadbolts on doors or security devices for windows are in the home. 
  • Do you have a wood furnace, wood stove?
  • Is your home all electric?
  • Do you have a swimming pool or trampoline that could cause injuries?
  • What type of pets do you have? 
  • Are you operating a business from your home?

Here are a few insurance terms you should be familiar with:

  • Deductible: The out-of-pocket cost you must pay before the insurance starts to pay. The higher the deductible, the lower the annual premium.
  • Liability Coverage: Coverage that will pay medical and legal claims if someone is hurt on your property due to negligence.
  • Personal Property: The contents of your home. Tangible property such as electronics, television, furniture and even clothing.
  • Premium: Your monthly or annual cost billed by the insurance company.
  • Replacement Cost: Insurance that pays you for the full cost of replacing your dwelling or personal property up to a maximum dollar amount.
  • Actual Cash Value: This policy pays you the current cash value (with depreciation) for personal property or your dwelling.
  • Sub-Limits: Most policies will include limits, and typically will also have sub-limits. An example would be, if the policy dwelling limit is $100,000, the personal property sub-limit would be $50,000 or 50% of the dwelling limit.
  • Riders: Additional coverages you can include to cover specific items. Examples would be: antiques, heirloom jewelry, and artwork. These items are typically covered under their own rider because they’re too valuable to be covered as regular personal property.

We will help you to make the best choices for protecting your home and your family. If you have further questions, please contact our office and one of our agents can help you to determine the best coverage at best price for your home and property.