Saturday, March 31, 2007

Understanding Home Insurance

By Oliver Turner Platinum Quality Author

In today's generation home insurance has created a mark among all other forms of insurance. Homeowner's insurance policy provides insurance to personal possessions including the house garage and other structures of property against certain risk factors like theft or fire.

Typical Homeowners insurance policy has two main sections.

Section 1 includes the property of the insured and Section 2 includes the personal liability coverage that needs to be insured.

At times, lender might require homeowner's insurance as part of requirement in obtaining a mortgage. While buying home insurance policy one has to keep certain important things in mind. One needs the best level of protection as well as the provisions for valuables like jewelry, computer equipment, kitchen appliances and other possessions. In order to have adequate home insurance coverage one must check with agent or home insurance company beforehand to be sure of the adequate coverage instead of relying on the coverage mandated by the bank or mortgage company. Those levels are for protecting the house only and eventually skip the protection of possessions.

While applying for home insurance the insurance company needs to know about your present occupation, employment history, marital status, date of birth and social security number. The insurer needs to check the credit criminal and insurance history. Insurance claims of past is also checked by the home insurance company. The decision to chose a specific type of homeowner's policy, deductible and how to pay for the coverage depends upon the homeowner.

There is exception to destructions like flood, earthquake and poor maintenance of house. Home insurance is needed and most lending institutions will require the homeowners to acquire a certain amount of coverage before issuing a loan to purchase property. The lender has a vested interest in property and wants to ensure financial compensation in the event of disaster. Homeowners may suffer a default of loan if they fail to carry the level of coverage needed by lender.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

How to Get Budget Home Owner Insurance Quote in Pennsylvania

By Elizabeth Newberry Platinum Quality Author

If you’re looking for a home owner insurance quote in Pennsylvania, never call random home owner insurance companies and start asking for quotes. Home owner insurance companies are going to ask you many questions about your home, and several of those questions are going to be about your homes contents and valuables. So, instead of rushing around your home looking for answers, you need to prepare yourself before calling for a home owner insurance quote in Pennsylvania. This generally means taking inventory of your home.

Since this is a preliminary list of your home’s contents and your valuables, you don’t have to worry about receipts and videotapes documenting your ownership. You should, however, make a thorough list of the contents of each part of your home. This can be a very simple process.

For example, get some paper and a pen, and write the name of every room in your home – one room for one sheet of paper. This includes the living room, kitchen, all bedrooms, all bathrooms, the dining room, the less formal living room such as the family room, and a home office if you have one. Also include sections for your attic and basement, if your home has either or both of those.

Next, grab one sheet of paper – whichever room you feel like investigating at the time – and thoroughly go through the room. Write down the contents of the room; everything from furniture such as couches, beds, coffee tables, and kitchen tables, to decorative items such as paintings, carpets and rugs, plants, and collectibles. Also make sure to include entertainment items such as videos and DVDs, CDs, records, and books, as well as other electronics including computers, printers, and fax machines.

Finally, make a list of all valuables, such as jewelry and heirlooms, kept in your home.

Having this information handy will give you a jump start on getting a home owner insurance quote in Pennsylvania.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Houston Homeowners Insurance Information

By Glenn Lamb Platinum Quality Author

Houston homeowners insurance has had some changes over the last few years. Previously most homeowners selected a HOA package for the least expensive coverage or a HOB package for more complete coverage. After the Texas lawsuits involving mold many insurance companies no longer offer HOB packages because they include mold coverage.

As a replacement for HOB there are amended HOA policies that add coverage’s to make a better package. Because these packages are not standardized, like HOA and HOB packages, it is a little harder to comparison shop them. I suggest getting a couple quotes from reputable companies and then comparing cost and coverage.

Make sure the policy you select has high enough limits to cover the dwelling, other structures, and personal property. In many cases it would cost much more than the market value to rebuild your home after a disaster. That means that it could be advisable to have a higher dwelling limit than the appraised value. A basic policy may not have coverage from sudden release of water, fall of trees and limbs, collapse of building, or breakage of glass. A good amended HOA policy should include these coverage’s.

For your personal property make sure the limit is high enough. I also recommend getting “replacement cost valuation”. This is much better than an “actual cash value” policy that would settle for the depreciated value of your goods rather that the amount needed to buy new items.

Personal liability coverage is usually from $100,000 to $500,000. It is usually inexpensive to increase to $500,000 and that is what I suggest.

To save money on your policy it is usually best to get your home and auto coverage from the same company because there is typically a good discount for this. Your agent should discuss all the other possible discounts available. These may include non-smoker, alarm, newer home, over 55, and more.

Texas residents can visit my Houston homeowners insurance website for more information. Or you are welcome to call my office at 281-537-2700.

Lamb Insurance Agency, Auto, Home, Life, and Business Insurance for Texas - http://Insurance-For-Texas.com/ - AUTO- http://houston-auto-insurance.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Lamb

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy – Dissected: Part 1 of 5

By Krista Farmer

If your homeowner’s insurance policy has been stuck in a drawer, cabinet or just tucked mindlessly away somewhere, it is probably about time to pull it out, shake off the dust and make sure it’s still up-to-date. This article is the first in a series of five articles that will help you decipher your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Who has time to labor through deciphering an insurance policy when the house needs cleaning, the fence needs mending, Fido needs a feeding and the kids need to be driven to soccer practice?

Let’s face it. At the end of the day, the only thing a person wants to read is the newspaper or a good book. Reading one’s insurance policy is surely the last thing on the list of “hot reads.”

While keeping your homeowner’s insurance updated is a dismal task, it is of utmost importance. As discussed in a previous article, not only is it important to purchase homeowner’s insurance, it is just as important to know what that policy covers.

Homeowner’s insurance policies contain several different coverage areas. This article, and some of the next few that follow, will help you make sense of the different sections within your homeowner’s insurance policy.

RESIDENTIAL COVERAGE

The most obvious coverage is protection against damage to or destruction of your residential structure. In other words, if your home is destroyed by a tornado, fire, or whatever your policy covers, the insurance company completely replaces or repairs your home.

In this section of coverage, the most important reason to keep your homeowner’s insurance policy updated is because, in the event of disaster, the insurance company will only reimburse you for what your home is insured for.

For example, you purchased your home and homeowner’s insurance five years ago. It is very likely the value of your home has increased since the purchase date. If you purchased the home insurance policy five years ago and have not updated the policy to the home’s current cost to rebuild, the insurance company will only reimburse you for the price you paid five years ago. So, if you purchased the home for $300,000 and the value has increased to $500,000, you’re losing $200,000 – quite a large sum.

In the end, it is essential to keep your homeowner’s insurance policy updated because you want to be sure your home is insured for 100 percent of the replacement cost. (Some policies automatically update to your home’s current value. Does yours?) While it is easy to let that dust settle over your policy from year to year, keep in mind that putting it aside could cost you much more in the end. Your homeowner’s insurance policy may make heavy reading, but it will be even more burdensome should it be out-of-date.

To read more articles about health, auto, life and homeowner’s insurance, check out http://www.hometownquotes.com/insurance-articles.html

Home Town Quotes, a Franklin, Tennessee company, provides a quick and easy way for consumers to compare multiple insurance quotes. To learn more, visit http://www.hometownquotes.com/.

Krista is the Director of Public Relations for HometownQuotes.com. She received her Bachelor of Science from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. She is a member of PRSA and PRSA Young Professionals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Krista_Farmer

Home Owner Insurance in San Francisco



Monday, February 26, 2007

The Benefits Of Getting A Home Insurance Quote Online

By Terry Edwards

Getting a home insurance quote online is as easy as it gets for comparing different policies and rates from several insurers. There are many benefits in getting an online insurance quote for your home including:

1. Convenience - Getting a quote on your insurance online is fast, simple, and available 24 hours a day. You don't need to make an appointment with an insurance agent. You only have to fill out an online form and submit your request.

2. Choices - By using the internet in finding rate quotes for your home insurance, you can compare offers from many different insurance companies in a short amount of time without having to spend hours on the phone talking to various agents and insurers.

3. Coverage's - You will be able to get quotes for different types of policy coverage's as well. Live in an area prone to earthquakes? You can add this optional coverage onto your rate quote. You can also increase contents coverage, add on expensive jewelry, and a whole host of endorsements and optional coverage's.

4. Comparisons - Once you request online quotes from various insurance companies, you will start receiving quotes back in a short amount of time. You can review these quotes from the comfort of your home and make the best choice.

If your needing a homeowners insurance policy, I would highly recommend getting a home insurance quote online and save yourself both time and money.

All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active and do not edit the article in any way.

You can learn more about getting a Home Owner Insurance Online Quote as well as much more information on all types of home insurance at http://www.HomeInsuranceA-z.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Edwards

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Crippling Real Estate Insurance Costs in Florida

By Lance Winslow Platinum Quality Author

So many Floridians are complaining about the increased costs of insurance premiums on Real Estate and to add insult to injury the taxes have also increased as well. It is especially tough on new residents and one man we interviewed stated; "If you ever wanted to move to Florida, think again, warn your friends!"

Wow, that is a heavy statement, although you can imagine the frustration for someone with a fixed income who has moved to Florida and then makes it thru a couple of Hurricanes and just cannot afford the real estate insurance any longer. Certainly the homeowners insurance costs are up that makes sense after 2005 Atlantic Tropical Hurricane Season.

Florida's Real Estate has been blasting up for a long time and that has cost of living affects too, although many people made a lot of money on paper. Florida also has a favorable business climate, good market and apparently good laws for those who file for bankruptcy. It beats NYC for many folks and there are good reasons to be positive on Florida too, for instance this excellent weather in the Winter Months?

Apparently, others are echoing this gentleman's sentiments and telling stories of their own dilemma. Is anyone listening? Well, the Online Think Tank has been watching these issues and would be interested actually learning more. In fact as the coordinator and after having done much business in Florida, I too am concerned.

It has been an excellent market, although I must say labor is very tough and a continuous hardship. One can completely understand fixed income folks are in dire straights when costs such as you mentioned rise too fast and that is upsetting indeed. I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Why You Need Home Owner Flood Insurance

By Andrew Bicknell Platinum Quality Author

Just because you live in an area that hasn't experienced a flood in a number of years does not meant that you don't need some form of home owner flood insurance. If you live on a mountain top you probably don't need this type of insurance. If you are unsure if you may need flood insurance then it may be a good idea to check a few of these reasons why you may need to obtain some.

The first thing that you need to determine is whether or not you and your house is in a flood plain. Sometimes it's not always easy to tell if you are living in a flood plain. In many cases it is determined by the proximity of your home to the nearest body of water which is normally a lake or river. One thing many people don't consider is how fast a small stream or drainage can flood or if they are living many miles downstream from a dam that can considerably expand the known flood plain. Many communities and states have specific criteria as to what constitutes a flood plain and will tell you if your home would require flood insurance.

An important thing to remember is that your standard home owners insurance does not normally cover flood damage. Water damage requires flood insurance and if your foundation, interior walls and home contents are damaged by a flood if you don't have flood insurance you may have to cover these losses out of pocket.

If you do live in a flood plain having flood insurance will help alleviate any stress you may have if your home is flooded. Most insurance is purchased with the hope that it will never be needed. But if disaster does strike it can help replace your loss and prevent a personal financial disaster.

If you need more information about flood insurance and whether or not you may need it a visit with your local insurance agent will do much to answer your questions.

For more information about home owner flood insurance policy please visit the website Home Insurance Quotes by Clicking Here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Bicknell