Fall is almost upon us. This is a time where we prepare for pumpkin festivals, bonfires and Buford City Schools football! But this is also a busy time where people are buying homes, and guess what accompanies that home purchase? Homeowner’s insurance. As a real estate agent, it is not just my responsibility to help my buyers find the home of their dreams, but it is also my responsibility to guide them in their homeowner’s insurance needs. Insurance can be confusing – how much do I need, what should it cover, who is the best agent for me. Those are all great questions. Here are a few tips that can help you in your homeowner’s insurance search:
- Know What It Covers and What It Doesn’t Cover – Typical homeowners insurance policies will cover property damage as well as damage to your possessions due to a fire, storm or theft. It will also cover home displacement costs in case you have to stay in a hotel due to home-related damage. It is also equally important to know what your insurance will not cover. Damage due to earthquakes, faulty repairs, power failure or flooding are typically not covered by a homeowners policy
- Shop around there are endless numbers of insurance companies and insurance agents in the marketplace today. Don’t go with the first one with whom you meet. Do some research and choose a few reputable agencies. As a real estate agent, I assist my buyers by referring them to agents with whom I have great working relationships. Be sure and shop for the best value … not necessarily the cheapest price.
- But What If I Need More Than The Basics? I advise my clients everyday to only get the coverage they need …nothing more and nothing less. However, you may have personal items in your home that your regular homeowners insurance does not cover. Alan Varon, a local metro Atlanta Allstate insurance agent, describes some items that can be covered under additional policies:
Sports equipment –
Additional insurance coverage that can help protect expensive gear like golf clubs, ski equipment, kayaks and more.
Green improvement reimbursement –
A type of insurance coverage that can help pay you back for the additional cost of replacing damaged or destroyed covered items with more energy-efficient items after a loss.
Yard and garden –
Expanded coverage for items like trees, landscaping, riding lawnmowers and more.
Electronic data recovery –
Additional coverage that can help with the cost of recovering lost personal computer data, such as photos or videos.
Musical instruments –
Expanded insurance coverage for items like guitars, violins and more.
Insurance coverage, specifically homeowner’s insurance coverage, encompasses so much information and many questions. Don’t walk through the insurance maze alone. Contact us today, and our team of professionals would be happy to answer any of your insurance related questions.
If you are thinking of selling or buying residential or commercial real estate in the following Georgia cities: Buford, GA; Suwanee, GA or Cumming, GA, then Heather Wilson is the Realtor® for you.
Visit WMT Global Realty at Keller Williams – Heather Wilson’s Facebook, Zillow, and Google pages today.