Homeowners Insurance

As a homeowner, you must protect your property and financial interests. Your home may be one of the most significant financial investments you ever make. As such, you must understand, acquire and maintain adequate insurance. Without suitable coverage, a single incident could have devastating ramifications and even leave you without the means to remain in your home. 

Types of Home Insurance Coverage Options 

When insuring your home, you should first understand your options. There are many types of home insurance to choose from, and in many cases your coverage may be customizable to suit your needs, circumstances and budget. Common types of home insurance include the following: 

• HO-1—These policies provide basic coverage for the structure of your home, including attached garages, appliances and foundations.
• HO-1—These policies expand on HO-1 coverage by helping pay for losses involving your personal belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics.
• HO-3—These policies are the most common form of home insurance and cover the structure of your home and possessions, as well as losses and costs related to personal liability and additional living expenses if a covered event forces you to vacate your home temporarily (e.g., hotel accommodations).
• HO-5—These policies provide similar coverage as HO-3 policies but may include higher coverage limits for personal belongings, such as jewelry and other valuables. Not all insurance companies offer HO-5 options and not all homeowners may qualify.
• HO-8—These policies function similarly to HO-3 policies and may be suitable if your home is older, historic, architecturally significant, or was built with materials and methods that would make repairs particularly costly. 

Determining the Right Amount of Home Insurance 

Regardless of what type of home insurance you choose, ensuring that your policy has sufficient coverage limits to help you avoid significant out-of-pocket costs is essential. When determining your home insurance needs, consider the following: 

• The cost of fully rebuilding your home
• Additional structures on your property (e.g., detached garages, gazebos and sheds)
• Belongings that you would need to replace
• Potential liability risks (e.g., attractive nuisances and pets)
• The cost of potential temporary living expenses in your area 

Tips for Choosing the Right Home Insurance 

Shopping for the right home insurance policy can be complicated and confusing. Given the many options available, it can be challenging to identify the best choice. With that in mind, consider the following steps: 

• Identify needs—Make sure that your policy’s limits can compensate you for catastrophic losses, such as if your home is entirely destroyed.
• Consider location—Depending on where you live, certain risks and exposures may influence your coverage needs.
• Seek discounts—You may be able to limit your home insurance costs while still maintaining adequate coverage, such as by bundling policies under the same insurer.
• Reassess regularly—Your home insurance needs may change, so it’s essential to revisit your policy and ensure it continues to provide adequate coverage. 

Get the Right Coverage 

We’re here to help. At Marietta Insurance Services, our staff is dedicated to helping homeowners assess and address their coverage needs. Our agents will work with you to understand your circumstances, explore your options and assemble an optimal policy. Contact us today to get started.