Home Insurance Tips From Nationwide

Most people simply can't afford to rebuild their home and replace everything in it if there's a disaster. A home insurance policy can protect your property, some of your personal possessions and you. It’s a package policy that combines two types of coverage:

• Coverage against your property being destroyed or damaged by certain perils, such as fire, theft and windstorm
• Coverage for liability exposure – for example, someone being injured on your property

With the right home insurance coverage, you'll feel comfortable knowing that, in the event of a disaster, your property is protected.

No matter what type of home you own, personal property insurance is your responsibility. If you live in a condominium, remember that the condo association or cooperative won’t pay for damage caused inside your unit, even if it results from an incident outside of your control, such as a pipe bursting or an electrical fire.

If you live in a free-standing property, in addition to insuring your personal property inside, you must also protect your "dwelling," or the physical structure of your home. Make sure you purchase enough home insurance to cover rebuilding your home from the ground up and replacing everything inside.

Home insurance policies can be as individual as you are. According to the ASPIRA/Nationwide Insurance education program, in a broad sense, homeowners’ policies cover:

• Dwelling – Coverage that protects the structure of the home (roof, walls, wall-to-wall carpeting, etc)
• Other structures – Coverage for sheds, detached garages and other structures not connected to the main dwelling itself
• Personal property – Coverage for personal items (clothing, furniture, appliances, computers, etc.) on and off the premises
• Loss of use – Coverage for when an insured has to move out of the home while repairs are made as a result of damage caused by a covered loss
• Liability insurance – Pays for damages the insured is legally obligated to pay due to bodily injury or property damage
• Medical payments – Pays for medical and/or funeral expenses incurred by a person on or off the insured’s property

1. Get enough home insurance coverage. While it sounds simple, make sure you have enough coverage to completely rebuild your home (or ensure you have the deposit for a new rental), replace your personal belongings and protect yourself in case someone is injured on your property and sues you.

2. Consider the amount of the deductible. Generally speaking, the higher the deductible the lower the premium.

3. Ask about available discounts. A number of home insurance discounts may be available for things like installing smoke detectors and wind-resistant shutters and insuring your home and auto with the same agent. Your agent can give you the details on how to save on your property insurance premiums.

4. Customize your policy. There are certain hazards that your regular home insurance policy doesn’t cover. However, you can add specific coverages for an additional cost. For instance, while flood damage is not generally covered, if you live in a flood zone, you can purchase flood insurance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

5. Talk with your insurance agent to make sure you've accounted for everything you want to cover. Keep a list of your valuables and consider taking pictures. It'll help speed up the process of getting your things replaced.

Usually home insurance companies offer riders, which are provisions that are added to your policy to provide coverage. The ASPIRA/Nationwide Insurance education program defines two riders you can select:

• Actual cash value – The value of the property lost or damaged at the time of the loss.  This method of valuation takes into consideration depreciation based on such factors as:
  • Age of the item
  • Market value
  • Condition of the property at the time of loss or damage
• Replacement cost – The cost of replacing damaged or destroyed property without deduction for depreciation in the value of the property.