Homeowner Insurance      

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Cheap Homeowner Insurance Quotes

Preferred Homeowners - Designed for new and updated homes less than 30 years old in protected locations - within five road miles of a responding fire department and within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant.

Standard Homeowners - A policy for excellent homes in excess of 30 years old or located in partially protected, or unprotected locations.
AARP Hartford Homeowner Insurance
Scheduled Items - Many items have unique values and exposures that may need to be scheduled. Items such as jewelry, furs, collectibles, musical instruments, etc. may be insured for specific values and covered for additional perils separate from the basic Homeowner Policy. Consult your agent when making this very important decision.

Please contact us so we can provide you with your choices.
COVERAGES

Only the basic coverages are outlined here. Homeowner coverages vary by state and form and all coverages are subject to certain restrictions or limits. In addition, these coverages can be increased or decreased depending on your individual needs.�Discussing these options with your agent will get you the best coverage you need at the most affordable cost.

For a Homeowner, or Condo, or Landlord Policy, Please complete this form.

Coverage A - Principle structure
Coverage B - Additional structures
Coverage C - Personal property
Coverage D - Additional living expenses
Coverage L - Liability insurance
Coverage M - Medical payments insurance
Other coverages that may be optional or included (depending on form), are:

Waterbed liability
Boat owners coverage
Snowmobile coverage
Business property
Computer coverage
Credit card coverage
Debris removal
Earthquake
Replacement cost contents
Replacement cost - coverage A
Fire department service charge
Golf cart coverage
Guns
Jewelry, watches, furs
Golf equipment
Office, professional, private school
or studio occupancy
Personal injury
Refrigerated food spoilage
Water damage - sewers, drains and sumps

What to look for in a Homeowner Insurance Policy

AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS AND CREDITS

There are many money-saving ways to tailor your homeowner policy. Here are some of the available discounts:

Protective devices - Credits are available for smoke detectors, local alarms, sprinkler systems, fire department/police department alarm, or central station alarms. These credits can range in savings anywhere from 2% to 8% of your premium.

Deductibles - The larger the deductible, the more the savings. Unlike most companies, Western National does not cap the amount of credit for deductible options. Optional higher deductibles of $500, $1,000, $2,500 & $5,000 also produce significant savings. Ask your agent to explain these options in more detail.

Common Loss Deductible - Limits the deductible from a common loss to two (2) or more policies insured with Western National to only the single highest deductible applicable.

Homeowners Insurance in California – CA

Home owners insurance in California covers the home, personal property and liability lawsuits in case one is hurt in the home of anyone who takes out a cover. Your home and belongings are covered against damage from fire, lightning, burglary, vandalism and acts of nature. However most companies do not provide cover against flooding and earthquakes so people living in such areas should get supplementary insurance cover to reduce their risk.

Before taking out an insurance policy, the company’s credibility should be established. You need to look into:
• How the company relates with its customers; here is where their previous customer experiences matter.

• They should have open communication in order to explain any questions you may have. Their call center staff should also be accommodating and helpful.

• Their financial ratings including its experience with paying out claims to clients and their credit ratings.

• Policies and pricing are also important as the reactions of other potential or existing clients to the insurance policy offers are an insight of the general acceptability of the company’s packages and their prices should complement the offers. Their rates should not be exorbitant.

In evaluating an insurance company in California, the size of the company is a non issue as it’s not the size but the service and cost that matter. All the information that one may require about insurance companies in California can be found on the department of Insurance website.

The ideal homeowner’s insurance policy is the one that covers the cost of rebuilding your home in its entirety if it’s ruined and replaces personal belongings if spoiled while protecting against liability lawsuits within your home. To be able to discern the amount of coverage that one needs, you should get the approximate square-foot building costs in your area multiplied by your homes square footage. As for personal belongings one should take an inventory of these then calculate their total value.

When gauging which insurance company has the least premiums and the best overall rates it’s advisable to compare all available options. This can be done by filling out questionnaires with the various insurance companies in California online then getting their quotes. From these the cheapest with the best offers can be chosen to provide you with cover. Some comparison sites even have insurance professionals online that answer any insurance queries. With insurance companies, the ability to pay claims and their customer relations are essential.

 

Chubb Insurance City Homes

The text below is by Consumer Action Website )Federal Citizen Information Center)

You may be able to save hundreds of dollars a year on homeowners insurance by shopping around. You can also save money with these tips.

Consider a higher deductible. Increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can make a big difference in your premium.

Ask your insurance agent about discounts. You may be able to get a lower premium if your home has safety features such as dead-bolt locks, smoke detectors, an alarm system, storm shutters or fire retardant roofing material. Persons over 55 years of age or long-term customers may also be offered discounts.

Insure your house NOT the land under it. After a disaster, the land is still there. If you don't subtract the value of the land when deciding how much homeowner's insurance to buy, you will pay more than you should.

Don't wait till you have a loss to find out if you have the right type and amount of insurance.

Make certain you purchase enough coverage to replace what is insured. "Replacement" coverage gives you the money to rebuild your home and replace its contents. An "Actual Cash Value" policy is cheaper but pays only what your property is worth at the time of loss-your cost minus depreciation for age and wear.

Ask about special coverage you might need. You may have to pay extra for computers, cameras, jewelry, art, antiques, musical instruments, stamp collections, etc.

Remember that flood and earthquake damage are not covered by a standard homeowners policy. The cost of a separate earthquake policy will depend on the likelihood of earthquakes in your area. Homeowners who live in areas prone to flooding should take advantage of the National Flood Insurance Program.

If you are a renter, do not assume your landlord carries insurance on your personal belongings. Purchase a separate policy for renters.


Deal of the Day by Kelli B. Grant (Author Archive)

6 Ways to Save on Homeowners Insurance

Strapped consumers often look to their homes as a potential cash cow. However, these days taking out a home equity loan or line of credit is practically a pipedream. But there is one way to reap some financial benefits from your home: through homeowners' insurance.

Premiums on homeowners' policies can cost thousands of dollars a year, but they don't need to be so pricey. Insurers base their premiums on the square footage of the home, the estimated cost to rebuild it, neighborhood crime and the relative danger of natural disasters -- almost all of which are constantly in flux. By reassessing your coverage and taking steps to lower your risk profile, you can keep hundreds of dollars in your wallet.

Seeking such savings should not entail cutting corners on your policy, though, cautions Noreen Perrotta, finance editor for Consumer Reports. Should an inadequately-covered home get destroyed by a fire (or any other disaster), the owner may not have enough money to rebuild it.

Here's how to save without putting your home at risk:
Maintain a healthy credit score
A poor credit score does more than hurt your chances of landing a loan. Coupled with negative factors, such as a history of late payments or numerous insurance claims on your home, a poor score can prompt an insurer to raise your premiums, warns Loretta Worters, vice president for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry trade group. On the other hand, a stellar score serves as added proof to the insurer that they aren't taking too much of a risk on you, which can result in a better rate. (For tips on how to raise your credit score, read our story).

Inquire about discounts
Ask your insurance provider whether they offer a reduced rate for bundling policies, say, a homeowners and an auto policy, says Jeff Leiman, senior director of J.D. Power and Associates' insurance practice. Such a move can yield discounts of up to 15%. Also, some insurers offer loyalty discounts of 5% to 10% on premiums to customers who've held policies at least three years, reports the Insurance Information Institute. If you can't finagle a better rate in either of those ways, then shop around.
Increase your deductible

Just a small increase in the amount you're responsible for should disaster strike can pay off big in premium savings, says Perrotta. A homeowner who raises his deductible from $250 to $500 could save as much as 15% on monthly premiums. If they raise it to $1,000, they can save up to 25%.
Disaster-proof your home

Simple safety improvements, such as buying a fire extinguisher or installing a smoke alarm or deadbolt lock can reap a discount of up to 5% with most insurers, says Perrotta. Expect even bigger rewards for larger projects, like installing shatterproof windows (10% in windstorm-prone areas) or high-tech security systems (15% to 25%). Just make sure to check your insurer requirements before you start knocking out the windows.
Another potential safeguard: you. Most insurers offer discounts of up to 10% to retirees. The assumption is that retired people spend more time at home, therefore they can react swiftly to incidents such as a fire or a broken water pipe, says Worters.
Monitor neighborhood changes

Where you live is a primary factor in your insurance rate, says Worters. Alert your insurer to any changes in your neighborhood that could lead to a more favorable rating, and in turn, less expensive premiums. For example, new storm drains may prevent flooding, while installing extra fire hydrants and clearing brush from empty lots will help reduce possible fire damage.
Pay promptly

Insurers like to know your payments are a sure thing, especially in today's economy, says Leiman. Signing up for automatic payments that are debited from your checking account can often land a discount. Or, if you can afford it, pay your annual bill all at one time. That way, you avoid the monthly convenience fee of $2 to $5 that many insurers tack on.
Assessing Insurance When You Buy

If plunging real-estate prices are enticing you to buy a home, make sure to factor in homeowners' insurance costs as you shop. "You may be able to afford the house, but find you can't afford the insurance," says Worters. Ask the current owner how much he pays, and consider these five factors:
Construction materials

Ask insurers which materials are preferred locally. A brick house in Long Island, N.Y., would get a favorable rate for its ability to withstand wind, says Worters. But the same house would be far pricier in Los Angeles, where brick is among the least stable in an earthquake.
Home systems

You'll pay up to 15% less if the home's heating, plumbing and wiring systems are less than a decade old, says Perrotta.

Flood zoning
If your home is in a zone at risk for flooding, it requires extra insurance -- adding an average $400 annually, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Neighborhood
The home's proximity to a fire hydrant and the nearest police station, as well as its crime rate and other factors, help determine the risk level of your neighborhood. The more risk, the bigger your premiums.

Past claims
Ask the seller to provide a copy of the home's Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report, which details the property's history of insurance claims.

 

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