Homeowner’s insurance is a vital part of safeguarding your home and family, and a blessing in disguise if tragedy strikes. If you're paying for homeowner's insurance, you are going to need and make sure your money is well spent (and that it covers you if an unfortunate incident occurs).
So unfortunate incidents to your home need to be covered by your insurance policy, right? You are correct. After all, filing a claim is the whole reason you get an insurance policy in the first place. Filing a claim is equal to using the policy. So let’s define the most common unfortunate events and how to be prepared to apply an insurance policy in case of such an event, all based on the APD Roofing team’s 20+ years of cumulative experience handling and processing insurance claims.
The most common insurance claims filed, according to the national research are:
#1: Wind & Hail (34% of Claims)
#2: Fire and Lightning Damage (32% of Claims)
#3: Water Damage & Freezing (24% of Claims)
#4: Non-Theft Property Damage (6% of claims)
#5: Liability (2% of Claims)
#6: Theft (1% of Claims)
In case of any of the above causes of damage, or another event, you would file a claim, and the three policy types as listed below are necessary to ensure extra protection and to get the most out of your insurance. Should you need more information about filing Home Insurance Claims for property damage view this quick guide to filing a property damage claim (from APD Roofing - the best and top-rated quality service roofing company). The guide has all the information you need in a concise format.
Here are the needed items you need to watch out for:
1. Replacement Cost
Replacement cost is the cost necessary to repair or replace your entire home. Once you insure your home for its estimated cost, your insurer will reimburse you (subject to your policy limits) for the value of rebuilding or repairing your home, supported by the dimensions and structure of the house that is damaged.
In case of a loss, insurance companies calculate the quantity it'll disburse as either actual cash value (ACV) or Replacement cost value (RCV). The cost pays out the dollar amount you'd expect to receive if you were to rebuild your home on a property with comparable materials or replace a damaged or stolen item.
2. Special property endorsements
Homeowners insurance covers a person’s home and its contents. There are numerous special endorsements (clauses for special situations) that give more insurance coverage and sometimes take away that coverage. These endorsements can cover all sorts of items and circumstances. Here are just a few such endorsements
Roofs with ACV or RCV coverage based
Water damage limits based on the cause of the damage (water backup, freezing, etc)
Special personal items limits by type
Here’s a very relevant endorsement: Personal estate coverage is the part of your homeowner’s policy that applies to your possessions while you're away. Your belongings are covered only against “named perils” as outlined within the policy (usually wind, rain, hail, fire, theft).
Also, a special personal estate endorsement is an optional coverage that permits the property to be covered on your standard homeowner’s policy. However, the personal property must be listed in the schedule, or list, for coverage. Personal belongings like paintings, firearms, jewelry, antiques, and musical instruments are all common items that will be included during a special personal property endorsement.
3. Umbrella Policy
A personal umbrella policy, sometimes known as umbrella insurance, is meant to protect you from large and devastating liability claims or judgments. Personal umbrella coverage comes into play when your underlying liability limits (such as from a homeowners or auto insurance policy) are reached.
An umbrella policy goes beyond the bounds of a typical homeowner’s policy. It provides a further layer of coverage against the danger of being sued for damages from another person’s injuries or loss of property in an accident—like slipping on ice on your front steps. It also protects against vandalism, invasion of privacy, libel, slander, and legal costs.
4. Personal Injury Liability
Also to pay for home repairs after a catastrophe, your home owner’s insurance also keeps you protected from potential personal injury lawsuits.
Most people assume their homeowner’s insurance does it. That assumption is often COSTLY if it doesn’t. While including personal injury insurance is common enough, sometimes that benefit must be endorsed separately. If you don’t know if your homeowner’s insurance plan includes it, find out now. Accidents do happen — one among the worst follow-ups is getting sued by a lover for an innocent mistake or oversight.
5. A Good Agent Behind the Plan
Finally, since homeowners insurance is complicated, confirm you've got an honest agent to explain the ins-and-outs to you. At APD Roofing - we’re always available for a one-on-one in-person conversation. Work with us to make sure you get everything you would like from your homeowner’s policy — also at an excellent price!
Your home and private property are priceless. That’s why it pays to have the coverage to urge the foremost out of your plan, which can be beyond what your basic insurance plan covers. At APD Roofing - we will assist you to understand your policy and the way much you're covered.
MELVYN HUCKABY
Lead Claims Consultant, IICRC Certified
APRIL C
Office Manager
april@apdroofing.com