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Top 4 Benefits of Homeowners Insurance

There’s a lot going on when you’re buying a home. Trying to figure out the benefits of homeowners insurance shouldn’t add to that list, so we wanted to spell it out in a short article.

 

Benefit of Homeowners Insurance #1: It Lets You Own

One of the most important things to consider about homeowners insurance is that it’s required. According to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowners insurance is required by lenders because they want to protect their investment.

For example, let’s say a lender gave you a loan and let you go ahead and borrow the money without any insurance. Everything is fine for a few years… but someone accidentally leaves food in the oven and leaves the house. This causes a fire and it’s a total loss. The entire house is gone.

If there’s no insurance, that means you have to pony up all the money yourself to rebuild the home. Not only that, but you’re still paying off the loan from the lender! Do you have that type of money? The vast majority of us don’t. So you may choose to just walk away from the house and the loan.

Now the lender is in a tough spot. They have a loan with you that you aren’t paying. They can’t repossess the home because there’s nothing to repossess! It’s just an empty lot.

If you had insurance, this would be a different situation. The homeowners insurance would pay for the house to get rebuilt. You now have a brand new home and the lender has a home that is a tangible asset they can sell off in case you default on the loan.

So to summarize – the #1 benefit of homeowners insurance is it lets you buy a home!

 

Benefit of Homeowners Insurance #2: Peace of Mind

That scenario we just outlined would be devastating to go through. Could you imagine losing your entire home? Not only that – but if you didn’t have any insurance to rebuild the home, that means you now have double trouble. You don’t have a home and you don’t know how you’re going to afford another one – on top of filling it with a bunch of possessions again.

With homeowners insurance, you don’t need to worry about that. If something bad happens, you know you’re covered. Whether it’s something small or a complete loss, you’re covered. The company will cover both damage to the home and the possessions inside.

No, some things can’t be replaced. But at least you can get replacements for things like your furniture, appliances, etc.

 

Benefit of House Insurance #3: External Structures are Covered

Did you know that external structures can be covered by your homeowners insurance? Typically the value is up to 10% of the value of the home, so that’d come out to about $30,000 on a home worth $300,000. That can cover a lot of different things!

  • A fence around the property
  • A shed, maybe one you kept tools in
  • A detached garage

For some people, this may not be a big deal. But if you have a big external garage or shed with a bunch of stuff inside, you’ll be glad your homeowners insurance covers it in case it’s all damaged, stolen, etc.

 

Benefit of Homeowners Insurance #4: Loss of Use Insurance

Let’s say there’s an incident where water floods across the home. A ton of work has to be done – carpet needs to be ripped up, you need new drywall and insulation, etc.

Do you want to live in a house with that much renovation going on? Probably not. Luckily, loss of use insurance saves the day. Your insurance company will pay for your hotel and meal expenses so you can stay in a hotel until the work is done.

Is living in a hotel fun? Not really, but it beats living in the middle of a renovation project!

 

We Can Help

Would you like a homeowners insurance quote? We’d love to help! Just give us a call at 877-600-7347 or click here to request a quote. Talk to you soon!

 

 

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Bundling Home and Auto Insurance Policies

Thinking you want to bundle insurance, but aren’t sure if it’s the right move? Here are a few reasons why we generally recommend it.

 

Bundle Insurance to Save Money

The main reason to bundle insurance is to save a pretty penny. Since you have to get auto insurance and home insurance anyways, why not find a way to get a good deal? Bundling insurance generally provides that. According to this article on Forbes, you can save between 5% to 25% by bundling insurance.

The insurance company is able to give you a better rate because it’s kind of like shopping at Costco. You are essentially buying a higher volume of insurance, so you get a high volume discount.

That said, the amount of money you save by combining your auto insurance and car insurance will vary from state to state. The thing is, you don’t really know how much you can save until you actually go request a quote. You may live in a state that will let you get a great deal, or you may live in a state where the savings don’t add up to much.

The good news is there is more than one reason to bundle insurance.

 

Bundling Insurance Makes it Easier on You

Anyone who has experienced a meal with multiple young kids knows how hard it can be to please everyone. One kid loves pizza, the other hates it. The little girl wants apple juice but the boy only drinks milk.

This kind of divide puts the adults in a bad spot. Do they give one kid what they want, making the other one frustrated? Or do they take the time to make two different foods to keep everyone happy?

The ideal in this situation – just like with your insurance – is to be able to simplify things as much as possible. You want all of the kids to eat the exact same food so you aren’t dealing with two different dishes on the stove. Likewise, bundling insurance means you only have to work with one insurance company instead of two.

Get in a car accident? No problem – you know who to call, and they know you since you have multiple policies with them.

Have a hail storm and need a new roof? Again, no problem – your trusted agency is there to help.

 

Bundle Insurance to Simplify Your Life

Let’s face it – most Americans live busy lives. School, work, extracurriculars, family, friends, side hustles, hobbies – we have a lot going on. Even during COVID, people were finding ways to get out of the house all the time.

Sometimes the busyness of our lives can get overwhelming and we want to simplify things. Instead of eating different foods all the time, maybe you come up with a meal plan where you eat the same things most days. Instead of going to different events every weekend, maybe you pick your favorites and chill on the others instead of being on the go all the time.

Bundle home and auto insurance to simplify your life. You go from two payments to one. You only have one company to talk to if something comes up or you have questions about your policies. You only have one password to remember (or save somewhere) instead of two.

 

We Can Help

Want more information on how to bundle insurance? Give us a call at (877) 600-7347 or send us an email at info@partnersdirectins.com. We’ll guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

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4 Home Improvement Projects You Can Do Yourself

Looking for some DIY home improvement projects this summer? Here are a few of the easier ones that can make a huge difference around your home. 

Home Improvement Project #1: Paint

The first project to consider is painting. Almost everyone has at least one room in their house they wouldn’t mind as a different color. For example, maybe your bathroom is extremely dark, so you want to make it an off-white to brighten it up. Or perhaps your bedroom is too light, and you want to make it nice and dark to help you sleep better. 

Either way, the good news is painting is something that anyone can do. As long as you don’t need to reach any areas that are very high up such as a two-story foyer, you can probably do everything with an 8ft ladder. 

DIY Home Improvement Project #2: Garage Storage Shelves

It is a very common problem to feel like your garage is a mess and cluttered. Things start to build up the longer you are in a house and the more stuff you acquire. It’s easy to lose track of items that aren’t well-organized and stacked on the floor in boxes etc.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, have you ever been in a garage with storage shelves attached to the wall? They go a long way in turning a messy garage into a room you can almost enjoy.

The best part is these shelves aren’t too difficult to put up. You will need a circular saw and stud finder to do the job right, so an investment may be required. But those are great tools for any DIYer, and the extra breathing room you’ll experience in your garage will be worth it. 

Home Improvement Project #3: Refresh Caulk

Your house has caulk all over the place. Windows, bathtubs, counters, cabinets, etc. Over time, caulk tends to get worn out, cracking and falling apart. This makes the caulk both unsightly and less effective, causing things like moisture, cold air and bugs to come through. 

The good news is putting on a fresh layer of caulk is pretty easy. Here’s a pro tip: Don’t buy the cheapest caulk gun you can find. Get one that is easy to push and has a no-drip stop. 

House Improvement Project #4: Improve the Landscaping

Everyone loves the great outdoors, right? Here are a few ideas on projects to consider:

  • Build a fire pit
  • Dig a dry creek bed if you have erosion issues
  • Create a patio or wood deck
  • Cut down small trees and foliage
  • Rake up leaves in untouched areas of the yard
  • Plant a garden
  • Build a retainer wall

You don’t need to do everything at once of course. Just pick one or two projects at a time so you don’t stretch yourself too thin.

Doing a few home improvement projects may help you get your mind off the crazy world we live in right now. But because we do live in a crazy world where the unexpected happens, make sure you’re protected. Let us know how we can help with your insurance needs.

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Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Jewelry?

Does your homeowner’s insurance cover jewelry? Chances are good that it does, but there’s a catch. Most policies only offer basic coverage, so the dollar value isn’t very high. If your jewelry collection is worth a pretty penny, your current policy may not be enough to cover it all. Here’s where the jewelry floater may be perfect for you.

What is a Jewelry Floater?

A jewelry floater is supplemental coverage for your jewelry. 

Who Needs a Jewelry Floater with their Home Insurance?

The answer to this question depends on three things:

  1. What is the current value of your jewelry?
  2. Are you buying more jewelry soon? After all, Valentine’s Day is this month.
  3. What does your current policy cover?

Let’s say you currently own about $3,000 worth of jewelry, you’re about to buy a $500 ring for Valentine’s Day, and your policy only covers $1,500. In that case, you may want to consider a jewelry floater since your current coverage only covers $1,500 of the $3,500 total value. 

On the flip side, maybe you own $1,000 worth of jewelry and the necklace you’re buying this month is worth $300. In that case, your $1,500 worth of coverage is more than enough. 

That said, there are other factors to consider besides just the dollar values. 

What Does a Jewelry Floater Cover?

Every policy is different, so it’s hard to generalize, but one big thing to think about is accidental loss. 

Most homeowner policies don’t cover accidental loss. For instance, if you go hiking and your ring falls off, your policy will most likely not cover accidental loss. You’ll need to pay completely out of pocket to replace it. The alternative, a jewelry floater, may cover accidental loss. In that case, the insurance company may pay for the new ring. 

People lose jewelry all the time. Sometimes it goes down the sink, tub drain or toilet. Other times it just falls off while you’re walking down the street or at the grocery store. You just never know. 

If you choose to schedule your jewelry so it’s covered, you’ll have more peace of mind that your investment is protected. 

What Does it Mean to Schedule Individual Valuables?

When you purchase a floater, you’re essentially “scheduling” your valuables. This means you’re protecting them from loss, but there are a few steps involved. Before you’re able to cover the items, you need to have them professionally appraised. This verifies the items you’re covering are worth the value you claim on the insurance policy. 

Ask your insurance company for a reputable appraisal company or do a search on Google to find one in your area.

The Pros and Cons of Jewelry Floaters

Just like any insurance policy, each side of the coin has one main pro or con. 

The pro of investing in a jewelry floater is peace of mind. You paid a lot for your jewelry, and this additional coverage will help you sleep at night knowing your investment is protected.

The con is the cost. Some people choose to forego a floater because they don’t want to pay the premiums involved. 

For some personalized advice, just send us an email at info@partnersdirectins.com or give us a call at (877) 600-7347. We look forward to helping you!

Courtesy of Cuselleration

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5 Safety Tips to Protect Your Home This Holiday Season

The holiday season gives the feeling of joy and is oftentimes spent with close family or friends. Even though the season is usually festive, things can unfortunately turn sour fairly quickly. Thieves and criminals are usually watching homes that get a lot of packages and are even willing to break into homes and steal if they think you are buying a lot of expensive gifts.

Disasters such as broken pipes or an electrical fire are also scenarios that do not go away during the holiday season. As a result, make sure to take the time to be careful and take all available safeguards to protect your home against loss and damage or get yourself into trouble.

Here are five different safety tips to protect your home this holiday season.

1) Be careful about gifts you are buying and shipping.

Many people leave expensive gifts in their living room, presenting an inviting target for criminals who break through a door or window to steal. Many police forces have a hard time tracking down these types of criminals due to a lack of other witnesses and evidence. Make sure to keep any pricey gifts hidden in your house and away from windows until they are gifted.

2) Take care of your Christmas tree.

Many fires start inside homes during the holiday season because of a dry Christmas tree that catches fire. Be sure to water your tree everyday and purchase one that is still fresh. Trees that have dry needles, look brittle, and have wrinkled bark should not be purchased. Once your tree is inside your home, keep any electrical items and fire away from the area it is in.

3) Take the time to purchase high quality Christmas lights.

Older lights usually take up more power and are a major fire risk, especially if they have frays and breaks in the cord. The best Christmas lights are ones that emit low heat and have the proper certifications. Before putting up lights, study the cords closely to see if there are any broken sockets and be sure to turn everything off once you leave the home.

4) Protect your pipes once the weather gets really cold.

Colder nights can cause pipes inside of your house to break, which can be a repair that totals in the thousands of dollars. You can take steps to prevent this risk. Drain any water from your sprinkler lines before it freezes and remove any outside hoses so you can shut off the inside valves. If you have a basement or garage, spend the money to get pipes in these types of areas properly insulated with sleeves or heat tape. Just make sure any insulation is properly certified to work for the particular pipe.

Click here to learn what condominium insurance covers!

5) Keep watch over food in the kitchen.

Cooking fires and mishaps often lead to a large amount of the fires seen on Thanksgiving, and the same story continues on Christmas if people are not careful. Never leave anything cooking unattended and keep kids away from the kitchen if you are working. Smoke alarms should be in good working order at this point in the year as well.

Do you have a question about how to protect your home this holiday season? Click here to contact Partners Direct Insurance Services today!

 

Courtesy of Cuselleration

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6 Myths About Flood Insurance

Floods can be a fact of life for people who are far away from any sort of ocean or river. Rapid rainfalls can quickly lead to flash floods that can damage a home or surrounding property.

Floods can also be a problem even after a relatively mild and weak storm if you do not have a good drainage system around your home and surrounding property.

Many homeowners choose to purchase flood insurance, especially if they live near a large body of water, so they can get assistance with repairs or a total rebuild after a flood. However, there are a lot of myths about flood insurance, so keep reading to get educated on what the truth really is.

Myth: Everyone in a Flood-Prone Area Must Get Insurance

Homeowners are only required to buy flood insurance if they meet a set of criteria.

They must purchase it if their home is in a flood hazard area (1% chance of a flood each year), if the community is involved in the National Flood Insurance Program, and if they purchased or refinanced a home through a federally regulated institution. Homeowners that do not meet this criteria are not required to buy insurance.

Myth: Insurance Is Costly

Contrary to many beliefs, flood insurance is not always expensive. The price will depend on your location, home value, and height off the ground.

Click here to learn why it’s important to review policies every year!

Myth: Taxpayers Pay The Federal Flood Insurance Bill

The National Flood Insurance Program does not spend any tax dollars. The government makes sure the premium rates are set high enough as to cover any claims and operating expenses in a normal year. If a year is particularly bad, then the treasury lends money and just charges an interest rate on top of the loan. The program works to maintain solvency by boosting the accuracy of flooding maps and easing away from subsidies.

Myth: Insurance Is Just For Beach Homes

Many houses that have flood insurance, especially those in the National Flood Insurance Program, are actually away from the oceanside. You should always purchase flood insurance if you can because flood-related damages are not covered by normal homeowners insurance.

Myth: Floods Don’t Really Cause a Lot of Damage

Even though tornadoes and hurricanes often get big headlines, floods actually create more damage in the United States than any other type of natural disaster.

Remember, floods can happen anywhere. They usually occur during a storm where a lake or river rises. Additionally, floods can happen due to the actions and activities of humans, like during construction of roads and houses, if the proper precautions are not taken.

Overall, there are a lot of myths about floods and flood insurance. Flooding is a serious risk to any home and the possessions inside, so smart homeowners will secure insurance to be prepared. Floods can happen anywhere, and can often strike with little warning, so be sure that any insurance adequately accounts for the value of your home and possessions.

Do you have a question about how flood insurance can help recover damage of a home and its possessions? Click here to contact Partners Direct Insurance Services today!

Courtesy of Cuselleration

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How Homeowners Insurance Can Help Recover Damage from Wildfires

Having homeowners insurance can be a great benefit if there is a fire. The vast majority of policies have coverage that will be a great aid in getting your items repaired or replaced. Even though homeowners insurance can be expensive, house fires are a common occurrence that should not be taken lightly.

Estimates say the number of residential fires each year totals around 357,000 on average. Most of these are started from relatively simple issues, like a burning candle or a basic electrical issue.

It is important to know that homeowners insurance does cover fire damage, and it can be a great boost to you and your family as you recover. However, there are a couple of particulars that go along with it.

What Is Covered Under Homeowners Insurance?

Specifically, homeowners insurance covers the actual structure of a house along with any things that are attached, like a garage.

If your house is damaged or destroyed by a fire, many homeowners insurance companies will help pay for you to live somewhere else, like a hotel, until your can move into a house again.

Homeowners insurance also covers detached structures and personal property in the case of a fire. Detached structures can include items that are on your property but are not actually attached to a home, like a shed or fence. Insurance also extends to your personal belongings, which can include appliances, clothing, and furniture.

Usually, a homeowners insurance policy will help pay for the repair or replacement of these items if your house is affected by a fire or lightning strike. Some policies might even help you pay to replace shrubbery, grass, or trees that were destroyed during a fire.

Click here to learn why you need fire insurance!

What Type Of Homeowners Insurance Do I Need?

Ultimately, there’s no one size fits all policy for insurance. A policy will depend on how much you value your home and the belongings inside. For example, if you have a lot of valuable personal property, then it would be prudent to increase your limits for homeowners insurance across this area.

But you might need to buy additional coverage in top of this if you have valuables, like jewelry, that might have a lower coverage limit. One of the most important factors about homeowners insurance is the dwelling coverage. Homes and construction costs do change in value, so it might be more expensive to rebuild your house after a fire than it is now.

As a result, figure out dwelling coverage limits based on your house’s current valuation. Ultimately, even though there are a lot of house and dwelling fires each year, you can take concrete steps to prevent them. Be careful about open flames, especially from the stove or from candles, and always make sure to extinguish these before you leave.

Additionally, installing working smoke detectors can be a great deterrent against a fire, especially since they can help notify you if something goes wrong in the night.

Putting a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and out in the garage is another smart way to protect you and your house from a fire risk. Just check the expiration dates, as they might not work if they have been sitting around for awhile.

Do you have a question about how homeowners insurance can help recover damage from a fire? Click here to contact Partners Direct Insurance Services today!Courtesy of Cuselleration

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Why California Residents Need Earthquake Insurance

Most people in the United States are not really worried about earthquakes. That’s certainly not the case for those in California. Even though the state is well-known for its geological activity, studies and statistics sill suggest a pretty small amount of residents actually have earthquake insurance. This is a big mistake.

The purpose of insurance is to protect yourself and your financial situation from unforeseen disasters. Earthquakes can strike without any sort of notice and can cause massive amounts of damage, especially if they take place in an urban area.

Earthquake insurance is something homeowners have to buy separately, or have added by endorsement to their policy. Even though jumping through these hoops might be time-consuming, there are a number of reasons why California residents need earthquake insurance.

Click here to learn how home insurance can improve your way of life!

Why You Need Earthquake Insurance

Earthquake insurance is important for several reasons. If your home is damaged or destroyed by an earthquake, you are off the hook for paying for repairs on your own dime. Expenses will be covered in the case of repairs or a total reconstruction.

Plus, if your home is rendered uninhabitable by an earthquake, your insurance policy might allow you to accrue money so you can live somewhere else while your home is being rebuilt. Having money to go and relocate somewhere can drastically affect your recovery process after an earthquake. It will also allow your spouse and kids to maintain a sense of normalcy even if they are in a different area.

Earthquake insurance is especially necessary in places like California since there is a potential for more quakes due to natural human activity associated with mining and fracking, which has been known to awaken dormant fault lines.

Research has shown these types of activities could mean earthquakes could start occurring with more frequency, especially in places that are not even close to a natural fault line. As a result, this means people all across California are well-served by buying earthquake insurance, even if you are not in a major city or live close to a fault line.

Earthquake insurance can be a good buffer against the types of devastating damage seen after a quake, which can include building collapses, structural damages, damage to landscaping and property, explosions, gas leaks, fires, and even flash floods and tsunamis if you are living on the California coast.

These types of damage can be very expensive to fix on your own dime, and are all examples of instances where adequate earthquake insurance would cover repair and replacement costs.

Outlook for Earthquake Insurance

Even if you are a bit wary about the sticker prices of earthquake insurance, it is still important to go and get a quote for yourself. The costs of insurance are usually less in lower-risk areas, so you could be saving a bundle of cash by not paying premiums, depending on where you are living in the state.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if earthquake insurance is the right way to go, but everyone living in California should still understand how important it is to purchase, no matter your situation.

Do you have a question about earthquake insurance? Click here to contact Partners Direct Insurance Services today!

Courtesy of Cuselleration

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Spring Cleaning Tips to Avoid Home Insurance Claims

Are you and your family in the spring-cleaning mood? You’ve probably already started on clearing out your closets and decluttering your rooms, but what about the lesser-thought-of chores, like cleaning out your gutters and checking for any damage? If you want to keep your home in good shape and prevent any future insurance claims, take a look at these 6 spring cleaning tips.

 

  • Check your HVAC

 

After a winter where you probably used your home’s heater pretty consistently, it’s important to check and change your HVAC filters to prevent a build-up of dust. Not properly maintaining a clean HVAC can result in physical illnesses, a higher energy bill, and a shortened life-span of the entire appliance. Make sure this is one of the first spring-cleaning chores on your list to help keep a healthy home and a happy family.

 

  • Repair your driveway

 

Cracked sidewalks and driveways, broken bricks and stones, or holes in your yard can be a tripping hazard that could potentially cause injury to you, your family, or your guests. To avoid paying out-of-pocket for someone else’s medical bills, keep an eye out for any tripping hazards. Similarly, watch out for any loose nails or screws on your deck that could have been exposed by rotting wood. It’s easy to forget to look at the floor, but doing so could protect your loved ones from some painful injuries!

 

  • Watch out for the windows

 

If an earthquake or other weather-related event hit your home in the past, it’s possible that your windows and doors were harmed in the process. Double check the caulking and seams around your windows and doors for any cracks. If cracks are present, moisture could be entering your home and causing damage to your walls, ceilings, floors, and appliances. This damage could show up in the form of insurance claims and home repair bills, so catching it early is essential.

 

  • Replace the batteries in your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors

 

Every 6 months or so, mark your calendars to check the batteries in your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. While these likely go unnoticed during the year, it can be incredibly damaging to your home if they are not functioning properly in times of need. Instead of being oblivious when real damage is being caused to your home, make a point to switch out these batteries every spring and fall and help protect your family from danger.

 

  • Clear out your gutters

 

While we may not have traditional falls and winters in Orange County, our home’s gutters are still susceptible to becoming clogged with leaves and other debris collected throughout the year. If clogged, even the few showers of rain we receive in Southern California can back up your gutters, causing overflows and potential water damage to your home’s roof. Clean these out at least every spring, if not more, to help prevent making any insurance claims on a damaged roof!

  1. Keep an eye out on your home’s roof and walls

Similarly, any number of things can occur and cause potential water damage to your home’s exterior. If you notice water stains on your walls and ceilings or see any sagging spots on your roof, it’s likely your home has water damage and needs repairing immediately. Also keep an eye out for missing shingles, holes in the siding, or signs of damage caused by critters.

If you’re hoping to avoid paying a high repair bill or filing an insurance claim for damages, keep these 6 chores in mind when making your spring-cleaning to-do lists, and click here to receive a quote on our homeowner’s insurance policies. If you do happen to notice any damage on your home incurred over the last few seasons, give our team at Partners Direct a call and we’ll be happy to assist you with any insurance issues you have.

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How Home Insurance Can Improve Your Way of Life

When was the last morning you woke up, knowing you had a great night’s sleep? It gives you energy, and gets you ready for the day-at-hand. None of us knows what the day will bring, but at Partners Direct Insurance, our team wants to be sure you can take “home insurance” off your late-night worry list.

 

It’s true all around the country, but especially in Southern California: your home is one of the largest financial investments you will ever make. But your home is vulnerable: we’ve seen that first-hand in the last few months with the voracious wildfires. We know earthquakes are always a possibility, but what about a freak storm, or a break-in? Are you covered if the unforeseen occurs?

 

You know that if you drive a car, by law you have to have auto insurance. But the same is not true of your home. If you are not insured, or underinsured, things that happen on your property will have to be paid straight out of your pocket. Now that will cause some sleepless nights!

 

There’s No Place Like Home

 

If you are buying a home and signing for a mortgage, often you are required to have home insurance. It just makes sense: the lender wants to be protected from the unexpected. So say you already have homeowners insurance. Are you adequately protected? Some new homebuyers get the minimal policy and are surprised when they talk with their agent and their new emergency isn’t totally covered. It’s important to get replacement coverage, so that items you need to buy now are priced at what they will cost now to replace, not when you originally purchased them.

 

Let’s Get Personal

So take out a calculator, and figure out how much it would cost you to replace:

  • All electronics, including desktops, laptops, phones, and TV’s
  • Appliances
  • Clothing
  • Furniture

If you don’t have homeowners insurance, this hits you squarely in the pocketbook. The great thing about this type of home insurance is that it even covers you if your stuff is stolen when you are not at home: in your car, in storage, on vacation, in the locker at your gym.

 

Why Did I Buy That Trampoline, Anyway?

A good homeowners policy also covers you for liability. Say your kids begged you for a trampoline, and a friend broke an arm while using it. His family comes to you for medical bills. With liability coverage on your homeowners policy, you can take care of slips, falls and breaks.

 

The really amazing thing about homeowners coverage is that liability can also extend past your home, including accidents away from your house. It really is peace of mind.

 

Looking For a Place to Stay

Let’s talk more about the devastating wildfires that swept through Southern California. If your home was affected, and you had to evacuate, not to return for several weeks, what if you had no homeowners insurance? Unless you have some kind relatives nearby, that hotel bill would be astronomic. If you have a policy in place, temporary living costs are covered while construction workers repair your home. The policy can cover not only living space, but laundry, storage, even cable or satellite charges so you can stay connected and working while dealing with a disaster.

 

So What’s It Going to Cost Me?

It depends on several factors.

 

  • How old is your home: older homes take more money to repair
  • How big is your home: the bigger the square footage, the more expensive to fix
  • Location of your home: are you close to a fire station? Or in a higher crime neighborhood?
  • Do you have a pool?
  • Do you have a burglar alarm system, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems?
  • Do you smoke? Smokers bring higher premiums because of the increased risk of fire
  • Have you submitted multiple claims in years past?

 

At Partners Direct Insurance, we take your well-being seriously, and want to be sure to give you the right insurance coverage for your individual needs, so you can sleep better…every night. Contact us for a quote today!

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