Homeowners Insurance in Ocala
Our home is our most valuable possession, and the right planning will make the difference if the unthinkable does happen. Insurance can help you repair or rebuild your home and replace your damaged possessions.
If someone is injured on your property and sues for damages, homeowners insurance also provides liability coverage to protect you from financial ruin. As an independent agent, Ocala Insurance can help you obtain the best coverage for your situation!
Consider the following questions to determine if you are, like most homeowners, underinsured.
- Do you have a home-based business? Most people don’t know that their standard homeowners insurance provides very limited coverage for business property and generally no liability protection for business use of the home. You can get this coverage added to your homeowners policy by an endorsement or by purchasing a separate business policy.
- Do you have recreational vehicles? Watercraft, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and similar recreational vehicles add spice to your family’s life. But you should know that liability coverage for these type vehicles is not provided by your homeowners insurance. Accidents happen. So add this critical coverage to your policy by an endorsement or addition.
- Did you build an addition recently? New additions to the structure and grounds may increase your liability and coverage needs. So, if you’ve added a pool, another bedroom or a home theater, be sure you are adequately protected.
- Will your policy pay to rebuild or replace your home? Be sure you are aware of current market trends and know what your policy covers for replacement value .
- Do you own an historic home? Older homes do not usually meet the stringent building codes in most towns and cities today. If there is a loss, your old home will have to be rebuilt to the new code. A standard homeowners policy limits increased construction costs and the lost value of property. Again, add this coverage as an endorsement to your policy.
- Do you have expensive items or a collection? Just how valuable are these items are to your family—both monetarily and emotionally. You will need to decide whether to secure additional coverage either by an endorsement to your homeowners policy or through a specialty policy.
- Do you have medical payments coverage? This is often called “goodwill” protection. It provides payments for medical care for people injured on your property (regardless of fault) up to three years after an accident. Get this affordable coverage added to your homeowners insurance policy today.
- Check for leaks regularly. Look for discoloration in ceilings, floors, walls and tiles, that could signify a leak in your home which indicates damage too. To prevent a lead from mushrooming you should regularly inspect your home. Check for water in the basement and around appliances. Check the foundation. And, check indoor hose connections in the laundry room, bathrooms and kitchen. Repair damaged or suspect areas immediately.
- Get an alarm system. An alarm is a great deterrent against break-ins and could save you money on your homeowners insurance. Test it regularly to ensure it is operating properly. And, most importantly, use it. An alarm system will not dissuade burglars if it’s off!
- Got a pet? Pet bites and attacks are one of the most common causes of homeowner liability claims. Pit bulls, may be excluded from coverage altogether and certain breeds are considered by insurance companies to be dangerous. Before adopting a pet check with your insurance company to ensure it will be covered by your homeowners insurance.
There are some simple steps you can take to reduce your homeowner’s premiums.
- Raise Your Deductible – A deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance starts to pay for your loss. Since the purpose of insurance is to pay for the losses you cannot afford, raise your deductible to a limit that you could handle in case of a loss.
- New Home – If your home is less than 10 years old, you may be eligible for a new home discount.
- Make Your Home Safer – You may be eligible for a discount if you have a burglar and fire alarms systems and/or sprinkler systems. Monitored systems will earn a bigger discount than unmonitored systems.
- Construction Material – When you buy a home, look for fire-resistant construction, such as brick, masonry or rock. You may pay a lower premium for hail-resistant roofs, such as those made of concrete tile, while wood roofs may bring a surcharge. Check the location of the nearest fire department, and avoid buying in floodprone areas. Non-Smoker Discounts
