If you own or plan on buying a home in West Hartford or elsewhere in Connecticut, you will need to know a few things about homeowners insurance. Whether you’re getting your first policy or looking to change insurance companies, as an independent agent I can tell you that there are some questions you can ask to make your shopping a bit more effective.
The first thing you need to find out when looking at any homeowners insurance policy is what is covered and what is not. There are multiple levels of homeowners insurance coverage and you need to know if you’re talking about a policy that covers every item in your home as well as the structure itself, or if it just insures the structure against certain specific types of damage. These are things you don’t want to find out when you call with your first claim.
When talking to your independent agent, another good question to ask is about amounts of coverage. Make sure you understand if you’re talking about a policy that gives replacement cost or guaranteed replacement cost and what the maximum amounts are. It defeats the whole purpose of insurance if your house is destroyed and you end up not having enough money to replace it and still owing money on your mortgage. Another good question to ask is what is the limit of coverage for your valuables, in and outside the home.
In terms of cost, you should ask your independent agent about the appropriate deductible size for your situation, and how adjusting that might save money. You should ask about any discounts you might qualify for and what safety features you could add to your home to qualify for more discounts.
Homeowners insurance is an absolute necessity for anyone who owns a house, townhouse or condo in West Hartford. Connecticut homeowners should definitely not be afraid to ask questions when shopping for a policy, because the right questions will help you to find the right policy for you.