Non Negotiables With Home Insurance

When it comes to home insurance, there are certain factors that you simply can’t do without. Whether a regular homeowner or landlord, understanding what non-negotiables should come with your policy is essential for adequate coverage and peace of mind.

This blog post will cover 5 key elements which all home insurance plans must offer in order to serve its purpose – read on to learn more about these important points!

What is Home Insurance and Why is it Important

Home insurance is an important and often overlooked form of insurance that can provide financial protection for homeowners in the event of natural disasters, theft, and other risks. 

It is a type of property insurance that provides coverage for the physical structure of a home, as well as its contents and any liability associated with the property.

Home insurance is designed to help homeowners cover the costs associated with repairing or replacing items damaged or destroyed by a covered event, such as a fire, windstorm, or theft. 

Homeowners who purchase a home insurance policy typically pay an annual premium, which is determined by the value of their property, the deductible they choose, and the coverage limits they select.

Homeowners need to understand the importance of having home insurance, as it can be a critical lifeline in the event of an unexpected disaster or other risk. 

Homeowners with an adequate home insurance policy will be better protected from financial loss in a covered event. They can also take advantage of financial assistance from their insurer if needed.

Homeowners should also be aware of the various types of home insurance coverage available, as well as any discounts or special offers that may be available. 

For example, some home insurance policies may include coverage for flood and earthquake damage, while others may provide discounts for policyholders with a good credit history or who have installed safety features on their property.

In conclusion, home insurance is an important form of insurance that can provide financial protection in the event of a covered event. It is important for homeowners to understand the different types of coverage available and to purchase a policy that meets their needs. Taking the time to research and compare home insurance policies can help ensure that homeowners have the coverage they need to protect their property and their financial security.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is an important part of any insurance policy. It provides important financial protection in the event of an accident or injury. Liability coverage is designed to cover the costs associated with accidents or injuries that you cause to another person or property. Depending on the policy you have, liability coverage may cover medical bills, lost wages, legal fees, and other damages.

There are two main types of liability coverage: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Bodily injury liability covers injuries and medical expenses if you cause an accident that injures another person. Property damage liability, on the other hand, covers the cost of damage caused to another person’s property as a result of your actions.

It is important to understand that liability coverage does not cover you; it covers the costs associated with your actions. This means that if you are found liable for an accident or injury, your liability coverage will not pay for your medical bills or lost wages. Instead, it will cover the costs incurred by the other party as a result of your actions.

Liability coverage is an important part of any insurance policy. Without it, you may be held personally liable for any damages incurred as a result of your actions. This can lead to costly medical bills, lost wages, and even legal fees if the other party decides to sue you. It is important to make sure that you have adequate liability coverage to protect yourself financially from possible accidents and injuries.

Property Damage Protection

Property damage protection is a form of insurance that helps to protect your valuable possessions and investments from damage and loss. Whether you own a home, a business, or both, it is important to understand what property damage protection covers and why it is necessary.

Property damage protection covers physical damage to your property due to certain events, such as fires, storms, theft, and vandalism. It also covers any damage caused by negligence, such as a broken window or a flood from a burst pipe. The policy will also cover the cost of repairs and any related expenses, such as temporary housing if necessary.

It is important to note that property damage protection does not cover liabilities, such as legal fees or medical bills. Liabilities should be covered by a separate liability insurance policy.

Property damage protection is essential for protecting your valuable investments and possessions. It can help to cover the cost of repairs in the event of an unexpected disaster or accident and can also help to protect you from the financial strain of costly repairs.

Not only is property damage protection important for protecting your assets, but it can also provide peace of mind in the event of an unexpected accident or disaster. Knowing that your possessions and investments are protected can help to alleviate the stress of an unexpected loss.

Property damage protection is an essential form of insurance for any property owner. It can help to protect your investments and possessions from damage and loss and can also provide peace of mind in the event of an unexpected disaster. Understanding what your policy covers and why it is necessary is essential for ensuring that you and your assets are properly protected.

Dwelling Coverage

Dwelling coverage is an important form of insurance for homeowners. It’s designed to protect financially against damages caused by fires, storms, vandalism, and more. Dwelling coverage typically covers the home's structure, including its foundation, walls, roof, and plumbing. It may also cover any permanently attached fixtures or items, such as a deck, fence, or storage shed.

In addition to covering the home's structure, dwelling coverage can provide financial protection for personal belongings. This type of coverage can help replace items damaged or destroyed due to a covered event. Depending on the policy, dwelling coverage can also provide protection against liability claims and medical payments.

It’s important to note that dwelling coverage does not cover all damage or losses. For example, damage caused by floods, earthquakes, or negligence is typically not covered. Additionally, living expenses due to a covered event, such as temporary housing, are not typically covered by dwelling coverage.

When determining if you need dwelling coverage, it’s best to speak with an experienced insurance agent. They can provide guidance on the type of coverage that’s best suited to your individual needs and budget. Although no one can predict when disaster may strike, having dwelling coverage can help you have peace of mind knowing that your home and belongings are protected.

How Much Do Most Homeowners Insurance Plans Cost?

Owning a house is an expensive proposition. In addition to the monthly mortgage payments, you must pay for upkeep, repairs, and homeowners insurance.

Insuring your home is always a good idea to protect your investment and is required by mortgage companies until the loan is paid off. 

Here's a look at the cost of house insurance and some factors influencing it.

Homeowners Insurance Rates

You must pay nearly $1,400 a year for homeowners insurance on the average house valued at $250,000, according to Bankrate. 

Companies consider various factors when setting prices, and they all have different standards. Comparison shopping for homeowners insurance can save you hundreds each year, but costs are rising overall. 

The industry cites inflation, supply chain issues, and catastrophic losses from climate-related disasters for causing rates to rise.

Other Factors Involved

Other factors that companies consider when setting a house insurance rate include the age of the home, how much it would cost to rebuild it, what it's made of, and the fire rating of the location. 

Homes far from fire hydrants pay higher rates, and so do those made of especially expensive materials. Your claims history and the history of the location may also be considered. Your credit score is included in the calculation in most states.

Highest and Lowest

Hawaii, where prices for most goods and services are higher than average, usually has the lowest house insurance rates. Prices there could be less than half the average. 

The unlucky homeowners of Oklahoma pay the highest rates. They may pay nearly three times the average. Alabama and Arkansas are among other states where rates are high. 

No matter where a home is located, the factors in the previous section are involved in calculations.

How to Lower Your Cost

Shopping around is the easiest way to lower the cost of your house insurance. You can also save by choosing a higher deductible or asking for a discount if you have multiple policies with the company. 

Sometimes, a small investment in safety and security devices like doorbell cameras, fire alarms, and deadbolts can also reduce rates. 

Additionally, when you don't file a claim for three to five years, you may qualify for a reduced rate with some companies.

Homeowners insurance is expensive, but understanding where you stand compared to the average may ease your mind. If you're paying too much, you can often reduce your cost by shopping around and looking for discounts. 

House insurance isn't sexy or exciting, but you may find saving hundreds every year worth your time.

How to Get Insurance to Cover Your Roof Replacement

When you need your roof replaced, it can be a daunting task since you know getting a new roof won't come cheap. Rather than be stuck paying for your roof out of your own pocket, you will be smart to do all you can to make sure your homeowner's insurance policy pays for the new roof.

To ensure this is exactly what happens, here are some important steps you must take along the way.

Understand Your Coverage

If you have homeowners insurance and need your roof replaced, you may automatically assume it is covered. However, that is only sometimes the case. Unfortunately, not all insurance policies cover all types of roof damage. 

In fact, policies generally offer either repair coverage or replacement coverage. Because of this, you should always check over your policy to find out the specifics of what it covers.

Document the Damage

As you know, a picture is worth a thousand words when it comes to roof damage. By taking photos of your roof damage and sending them to your insurance company, you will have a much better chance of getting your claim approved for a roof replacement. 

If you are unable to document the damage yourself, contact experienced roofing contractors who can conduct an inspection and document the damage during their inspection.

Work with Reputable Roofers

To stand a much better chance of getting your roof replacement claim approved, it is always best to hire a reputable roofing company to conduct the inspection and perform the actual replacement. 

If you choose to hire a fly-by-night roofer, you may not only find your claim being denied, but also that the so-called "roofer" is nothing but a con artist who is preying on unsuspecting homeowners. 

If you have had a serious storm in your area recently that caused damage to your roof, be very aware of these scam artists.

Promptly Submit Your Claim

Once your roof suffers damage and needs to be replaced, don't wait around to file your insurance claim. If you do, this will make it much too easy for your insurance company to state that they believe the roof damage was not recent, which will result in your claim being denied. 

Once your claim is submitted, the insurer will have 15 days to make a decision about approving or denying your claim, so be prepared to be patient.

When you need a roof replacement, remember that this is why you have insurance in the first place. By using your coverage to its full advantage, you can soon have a new roof without paying one penny out of your own pocket.

Ways To Save Money On Your House Insurance Monthly

Are you tired of receiving a hefty home owner's insurance bill in the mail each month? If so, then you might be wondering what you can do to cut down on your home insurance premium and enjoy immediate monthly savings. Aside from shopping around for deals and discounts from other insurance companies, the good news is that there are some simple tips you can try out as a way of reducing your monthly home insurance costs. Not to mention, some of these tips can even increase the overall value of your home in the process.

Switch to Paperless Billing

Many home insurance companies these days offer a discount for policyholders who switch to paperless billing. After all, not only does this save the company money in printing costs, but it also saves trees and eliminates paper waste in the process! By switching to a paperless bill statement from your insurance company, you can simply receive this paperwork via e-mail, which you can then print out if needed.

Work on Your Credit

Believe it or not, insurance companies these days use one's credit score and credit history as a determining factor when it comes to the cost of one's insurance premium. Therefore, if you have less than perfect credit, consider taking steps to gradually increase your credit score over time. Doing so can lead your insurance premium to drop by a few dollars per month, which can add up to significant annual savings.

Update Your Home

If you live in an older home, then you are inherently at a higher risk to ultimately have to file a home owner's insurance claim. For this reason, owners of older homes cost more to insure. Fortunately, by making small updates, such as having new electrical wiring installed or better ventilation systems, you can drastically reduce the cost of your home insurance. Just be sure to report these updates and renovations to your insurance agent right away so that you can begin enjoying the savings.

Make Your Home Safer

If you do not already have some kind of security system in place, you may want to consider having garage alarms for home installed as a way of increasing security and reducing the chances of becoming a victim of a home invasion or burglary. Not to mention, most insurance companies offer substantial discounts for those who have security systems in place, so you can save money on your policy this way.

Bundle Your Insurance Policies

If you have other forms of insurance, such as vehicle or boat insurance, then you may be able to save a significant amount of money by bundling those packages through the same company. Check with your home owner's insurance company to see if they offer the other type or types of insurance that you need, and then take advantage of any bundling discount they may have.


Paying for home insurance can be a pain, but there are plenty of ways to reduce your monthly costs without sacrificing coverage in the process.