Are you covered with a standard homeowner's insurance policy?
With a standard homeowner's insurance policy in your hand it
includes four important types of coverage. They include:
Coverage for the construction of your home, Coverage for your
private belongings, Liability security, Additional living costs
in the occasion you are for the time being unable to live in
your home because of a fire or other insured disaster.
1.The construction of your house This part of your policy
pays to fix or reconstruct your home if it is damaged or
shattered by fire, hurricane, hail, lightning or other
catastrophe listed in your policy. It will not compensate for
damage caused by a flood, earthquake or routine wear and tear.
When purchasing coverage for the construction of your home, it
is vital to buy enough to reconstruct your home.
Most standard policies also cover structures that are separate
from your home such as a garage, tool shed or porch. Generally,
these structures are covered for about 10% of the total of
insurance you have on the construction of your house. If you
need additional coverage, talk to your insurance agent about
purchasing extra insurance.
2.Your private belongings Your furniture, clothes, sports
equipment and other private stuff are covered if they are stolen
or destroyed by fire, hurricane or other insured catastrophe.
Most companies offer coverage for 50% to 70% of the total of
insurance you have on the construction of your house. So if you
have $100,000 worth of insurance on the construction of your
house, you would have between $50,000 to $70,000 worth of
coverage for your belongings. The most excellent way to
determine if this is enough coverage is to carry out a home
inventory.
This element of your policy includes off-premises coverage. This
means that your stuff are covered anywhere in the world, except
if you have decided against off-premises coverage. Some
companies limit the amount to 10% of the total of insurance you
have for your belongings. You have up to $500 of coverage for
illegal use of your credit cards.
Costly items like jewellery, furs and silverware are covered,
but there are more often than not dollar limits if they are
stolen. Generally, you are covered for between $1,000 to $2,000
for all of your jewellery and furs. To assure these items to
their full worth, purchase an individual property endorsement
and cover the item for its appraised price. Coverage includes
"accidental disappearance," meaning coverage if you merely lose
that item. And there is no deductible.
3.Liability security Liability covers you against
lawsuits for physical hurt or assets damage that you or family
members cause to other people. It furthermore pays for damage
caused by your pets. So, if your son, daughter or dog
unintentionally ruins your neighbour's high-priced rug, you are
covered. However, if they demolish your rug, you are not covered.
The liability part of your policy pays for equally the cost of
defending you in court and any court awards, up to the boundary
of your policy. You are also covered not just in your house, but
wherever you are in the world.
Liability limits usually start at about $100,000. Though,
experts advocate that you purchase at least $300,000 worth of
security. Some people feel more secure with even more coverage.
You can buy an umbrella or excess liability policy, they provide
broader coverage; including claims against you for libel and
slander, as well as higher liability limits. In general,
umbrella policies cost about $200 to $350 for $1 million of
extra liability protection.
Your policy furthermore provides no-fault health coverage. In
the event a friend or neighbour is wounded in your home, he or
she can simply send medical bills to your insurance company.
This way, expenses are compensated without a liability claim
being filed against you. You can in general get $1,000 to $5,000
worth of this coverage. It does not, on the other hand, pay the
medical bills for your family or your pet.
4.Additional living costs This pays the added costs of
living away from home if you can't live there because of damage
from a fire, storm or other insured catastrophe. It covers hotel
bills, restaurant meals and other living costs incurred while
your home is being rebuilt. Coverage for extra living costs
differs from company to company. Many policies offer coverage
for about 20% of the insurance on your home. You can add to this
coverage, but, for an added premium.