Ensure our property is very important to preserve our heritage. However, hiring and paying insurance, not always guarantee that we will recover the value of our property in case any misfortune happen. Sometimes the property is not valued properly, for example because they have not considered the arrangements made or remodeling.
It is important to note that the insurer shall determine the amount of compensation according to the value at which property is valued. This way, if you pay a smaller share in their insurance should not be content without first finding out if the amount you are paying is in line with the value of your home. Otherwise, such insurance to be worth little, since in case of an accident will receive an amount significantly below the corresponding reality.
The main reasons for this problem to occur and to which special attention if they do not want your property is undervalued, are:
* A poor valuation from the beginning: sometimes the insurance companies make mistakes or omissions in the initial valuation of the property, although she has participated in a vocational school. For example, if the grade of the site where the housing or the quality of construction are not properly scheduled, the property resulted in a significantly lower value. To avoid this problem, it is ideal for advice that as owner of two at least, not to be a single assessment.
* Improvements without notice: Another drawback may be that improvements have been made or arrangements in the house or building, thus causing the property value increases, and that you as the owner has not complied with the reporting requirement. If the owner does not communicate the changes to the insurance on your property, it will not make adjustments in the valuation.
* Benefits provided by the insurer is very important, on the other hand, choosing an insurance company that guarantees real conditions as beneficial owner. For example, it is key that the insurer is governed by the Index of Construction Costs and the current values to make it at the time an accident happens in your house.
* The contents of the property while the property is a continent of the physical structure that it and all the elements incorporated in fix it, the contents are all the objects found within the property such as furniture, paintings and art objects, for example. This content must also be properly inventoried and valued, to be taken as part of the total value of the property, except for items that exceed a certain value and require private insurance.
Home insurance, coverage
How to Get Cheap Homeowners Insurance Quotes
Do you feel like you're paying so much for something that you can get cheaper? Is this 'something' your homeowners insurance? Well, if it makes you feel any better, you can look forcheap homeowners insurance quotes.
You won't have a hard time doing so because there are just a lot of home insurance choices available for you out there. Insurance companies make sure that they do a business and at the same time provide their clients with what they need.
There are insurance companies who even offer the cheap home insurance quotes that you are looking for.
But before you look for the cheap homeowners insurance quotes that are appropriate for your lifestyle and your budget, we suggest that you equip yourself with the information you need before even signing that contract.
You have to make an informed decision. The final say on home insurance quotes must be well thought of. You should take the time in doing so.
Here are some important notes that you should remember whenever you are browsing through cheap homeowner's insurance quotes. The one you should choose must give you fast results. It must also help you save money.
If you see that the insurance company is well connected, then this is a sign that you will definitely get your money's worth. The demeanor of the insurance agents you deal with also say something about the company.
If they are accommodating and well informed, that means they receive good training and the setting in the company is very professional. If the service is good, then the products (which are the cheap homeowners insurance quotes that you are looking for) are definitely reliable.
But of course you opted for cheap homeowners insurance quotes in order for you to save more. There are insurance companies that customize their policies so it will be more affordable for you.
The best thing about cheap homeowners insurance quotes is that you are presented with options and it's up to you which one you will choose. You can actually start treading the road to savings.
You can also estimate how much you will be saving if you opt for these cheap homeowner's insurance quotes instead of staying with the generic that charge more when you can actually get the same benefits at a lower price.
Home insurance for green people
Greener homes approved Commissioner John Oxendine and the state’s insurance commissioner’s office has approved the first ever green homeowner’s insurance policies in Atlanta. Oxendine stated: “We hope this will encourage and promote people to be green in their homes.” The programme for customers of the California based Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co promises that planet friendly homes can be rebuilt in the exact same way if they are destroyed or damaged.
The scheme is not actually original though, as Atlanta will be the 26th state to join the green insurance package. Fireman’s officials have revealed that around two dozen Georgia homeowner’s have already signed so far.
Locals using environmentally friendly products Laura Turner Seydel, who is one of the state’s new green insurance purchasers who lives in her LEED – certified home in Atlanta’s richer parts. The home, otherwise known as ‘EcoManor’ has natural lighting in most rooms due to solar panels on the roof, a plumbing system that reuses wastewater and rainwater, cabinets made from pressed hay and naturally dyed rugs and furniture.
Seydel stated: “ I feel like I look better, think better and operate better. We have built a much healthier home for our family.” What’s even more surprising is that the manor does not have the toxins or chemicals that are usually found in paints, dyes or construction materials.
Building a green house works out more expensive financially because it requires especially designed appliances, construction materials from within 500-mile radius and hard to find plumbing features. However, green experts do believe that a green household can save around 30% on utility bills each month, which can easily recover the added cost of construction.
Seydel’s home is one of three LEED – certified homes in Atlanta according to the U.S Green Building Council. The certification means that these homes meet a lengthy checklist of environmentally friendly requirements.
However, even homeowners who do not have an environmentally friendly house can buy the green add-ons from Fireman’s Fund to tie with their existing insurance policy with the company. This means that if a house is destroyed by a tornado, and then the insurance company will rebuild it with a green design. Going green also has another benefit, as it will pay the hefty cost of hauling construction waste to recycling companies rather than junk yards.
A lot of Georgia homes are built with green components and energy efficient designs, even though they do not meet the LEED certification.
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Now days, it is pretty easy to buy a home insurance policy.
Be sure that this is a kind of contract you need and could help you in case of any lose before you make any deal.
Home insurance: question in mind
Home insurance: question in mind
It is so important to make sure that your buildings cover includes the cost of alternative accommodation in the event that your home is uninhabitable. It is also worth checking whether the policy covers the cost of rebuilding or if it gives the market value of your property.
Building insurance covers the permanent fixtures of your home, such as your bathroom suite, fitted kitchen and decorations. Essentially, anything that you could not take with you if you moved home will typically be covered by your buildings insurance. But other things such as those which you can take with you when you move like furniture, electrical goods and clothing, have to be insured separately with a contents insurance policy.
You have to know that in buildings insurance, the least expensive policies do not always give the best value. For example, cheaper policies will only give you the market value of the goods that you need to replace, not what it will actually cost you to buy new replacements. If you would not be prepared to replace a damaged rug with a second hand one,
you may wish to pay a little extra for your contents insurance to get a new for old policy.Contents and Buildings insurance will both normally cover you for damage or destruction of your property by flood, storms, fire, theft and vandalism, but higher levels of cover are available if you feel that it is necessary, for example accidental damage. If you have children in the home this can be very useful and well worth the extra premium.There are lots of price comparison websites;
you will find companies with many different offering that will suit you and your needs and most of these companies will help you understand the different levels of cover as well as just quoting prices. It is important that the policy you have meets your needs so do look at the details.
Home insurance for rent houses
If you rent a home for sure you will not pay for any damaged that will happened to the house. But some times you may want to get special tenants contents insurance policy to protect your deposit
Home insurance for rent houses
If you want to make a policy for your belongings the insurance company will ask you about the estimate of your belongings. The higher the value of the goods you wish to insure the higher your premium will be. the security of your possession may not be as high a priority as it is for you,
so if you have any concerns about the security of your rented home then be sure to raise this with them. Windows which have no locks and a lack of a burglar alarm could make your house easy targets for burglars. When you first move into a rented property ask the landlord about changing the locks. If the locks have not been changed, previous tenants may still have copies of the keys to your home and could use them to steal your things.
Home insurance for rent houses
Also ask your landlord about checks to gas appliances and make sure you mention any faulty or damaged electrical appliances. Insist that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted and test them regularly.
make sure that you will make all the steps that will make you feel save in your rented house.
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Home insurance is very important to every one and we have to know the great amount of information including home insurance before we make a deal with a company. We have to know that there are two kinds of home insurance, buildings and contents insurance
1- Buildings insurance is for protection against financial losses if the actual structure or permanent fixtures of your home are damaged or destroyed. Your building insurance policy gives you cover for the whole cost of rebuilding your property and not just the market value.
2-Contents insurance gives you cover for the items in your home that would go with you if you moved. With lots of different policies available providing very different levels of cover, there are some things you should be aware of when buying a policy. Your contents insurance must give enough cover to replace your belongings, so be careful not to under insure.
This means that the maximum your insurer will pay is not enough to cover your losses. Your premium will increase with the amount of cover.you should make a list of your possessions, and don't forget to homemade items and gifts. Work out the approximate value of each, and think how much they would cost to buy new. Otherwise you will only get the value of your old used one which could be a lot less. The things you use also like Mobile phones, laptops and jewellery can be covered by your house insurance even if they are lost or damaged away from the home. Also think about the contents of your garden, greenhouse and shed, are your tools and garden furniture covered?
Make sure that you will inform your insurance company if you make any changes to your property, to make sure that you will keep your money in case of any damaged.
If you make the buildings and contents insurance from the same company you will for sure have a discount and that will help you to reduce your home insurance. Search on net and see the best deal for you and remember that, knowledge is power and that is what all you need to make the best deal.
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Fire is the most dangerous thing that can happen to our home. Even if we have a home insurance, a fire can be very traumatic and the loss of photographs and other possessions with sentimental value can be very difficult.
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Insurance companies are very keen to help customers to minimize the risk of house fires, not only because of the costs if a customer makes a claim, but also because of the high risks of death or serious injury from even relatively small house fires. But you can make many things that can help you to protect yourself, your family and your belongings from the dangerous of the fire such as:
1- Do ensure that smoke alarms are fitted and regularly tested.
2- Make sure that windows that have bars can still be opened from the inside so that family members can escape in an emergency.
3- Discuss escape plans with the family so that if a fire should occur, everyone knows what to do even if they are alone.
4- Be very careful about where the candles are placed and never leave a candle burning unattended.
5- Make sure that there is no furniture or fabric within three feet of a heater.
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6- Don't leave appliances on standby, and never overload plugs and sockets
. 7-Regularly check cables and repair any faults, and get rid of appliances if the cable is worn or the wires exposed
.8- In the kitchen, keep grill pans and ovens clean to prevent fat from building up.If you follow these simple steps then you will protect your self and be sure that you and your family are safe and at the same time you will reduce your home insurance and
feel safer.
Most Common Variables Considered When Calculating Home Insurance Rates
Home insurance uses individual underwriting standards to assess risk. Risk is the potential for a reduction in value that may occur. When a number of these occurrences happen for a particular insured, the insurance company either raises the rate or drops coverage. It is the hope of the insurance company to not have to pay claims and employ assessment factors to understand better the likelihood that a homeowner is exposed to loss and rates it accordingly.
Certain factors beyond the individual homeowners claim experience include zip code ratings, type of home owned, whether any commercial activity takes place in the home, and the home's overall value in comparison to similar homes within the area. These factors give the insurer the information needed to calculate the probability off loss and adjust rates accordingly.
Hazards are factors that can lead to a loss. There are three hazards, physical or tangible hazard, moral which is character and morale or indifference. For example homeowner A who buys home insurance policy for a home that is rented out to tenants will pay a higher rate than homeowner B buying home insurance on a similar home in which she resides. That is because homeowner A has a higher morale and physical hazard present in the home than homeowner B does. The tenants are not the owner and may not hold the same regard for the home as the homeowner does. This could lead to physical damage, deterioration or even theft.
A census or zip code assessment looks at the instances of crime and vandalism that occurs in a given area. Homeowners purchasing home insurance in high crime areas face higher premiums than homeowners who live in outlying suburbs. There is some controversy over this type of practice and was the basis of a group action lawsuit in Milwaukee in the late 1980s against American Family Insurance Company. The results of the suit led to changes in the underwriting practices in certain minority communities in the City of Milwaukee.
The likelihood that a loss occurs and the probability associated with it results in the rating factor. The rating factor may be set based on community experience or standards and may be reduced over time where individual claims experience results in better a rating.
All insurance provides an indemnity benefit to reimburse an individual for the value of their loss. An insured who believes that the purpose of insurance is to profit or get more than the fair market value of their property do not have the appropriate understanding of what insurance is for. Insurance is not for making a person rich but rather to keep them from becoming poor. To provide piece of mind risk ratings reflect experience, probability and the presence of other measurable variables that can be statistically tested.
Discount Life Insurance
Cheaper Life Insurance Now?
Well, that used to be right, but life insurance rates have dropped a lot over the last few years. In this competitive envirnoment, you may save some money by shopping around. Another thing to consider is the company. After all, we did find a $300 difference between the premiums between 10 major life insurance companies in one area for the same individual!
It will take a few seconds to list the most competitive life insurers in your area: Discount Insurance Quotes
Choose an Individual Health Insurance Policy For Your Family
Insurance After Group Insurance?
How can you find the best individual health insurance plans for your family?
If you are leaving group health, than you should prepare for some surprises when you shop for your first family health plan on the individual health market. For one thing, many employees are not really aware of how much their company contributes to their premiums, and they are surprised by costs when they have to pay the whole bill themselves! But on the other hand, if those ex-employees have already seen COBRA health plan bills, they may already been made aware of the group health plan costs. If the family is fairly healthy, they may actually be pleasantly surprised by rates. Since insurers can pick and choose who they want to cover, individual rates can be be very affordable for preferred applicants!
Think about your needs, budget, and expectations when you shop for health insurance. Also find out which plans are available where you live. Your choice of health insurance will depend upon what you want, what you can afford, and what you need. But since different states, and even zip codes within states will have their own rates, provider networks, and plan details, your choices may be limited by your local area.
This is why I usually recommend using an online health insurance quote form. You can enter your information one time, and then start your process by finding out which insurers are completive in our area. You may find dozens of plans, or be limited to a couple of choices.
If you live in a big city, you may be very happy with a PPO or HMO network because you can find plenty of plan doctors in your neighborhood. If you live in a small town or rural area, you may have more trouble finding a variety of medical services in your hometown, and you may want more flexibility to make choices. Of course, you may already have a family doctor you want to continue seeing. In that case, you will want to make sure that he or she takes the plan you choose.
If your initial search for your ideal health insurance plan frustrates you because of high premiums, it may be time to adjust your expectations. Some benefits, like doctor copays, are very expensive. If you only visit the doctor a couple of times a year, perhaps getting a network discount without the copay will be affordable enough to make it worth it to accept a plan without that benefit. If you think you can stick to a disciplined savings plan or have access to good credit, thing about dropping the premiums by raising your yearly plan deductible.
But make sure your plan does cover services you do need. For instance, if somebody in your household could get pregnant, many individual plans do not cover normal maternity costs.
I cannot tell you which plan to choose without getting to know your family. So do not be afraid to speak with qualified health insurance agents in your area. A good agent will not try to sell you, but will educate you, so you can make your own best choice!
Older People's Life Insurance
Why Do Older People Need Life Insurance
We usually think of younger people buying larger term life insurance policies to protect their home and young family. However, a lot of times older people need life insurance too.
What kind of life insurance should older people buy?
- Term Life Insurance For Older People - Since Americans are living longer and healthier lives, many people can find affordabe term policies in their 70's.
- Final Expense Insurance For Seniors - These are whole life insurance policies that are designed to be simple for senior citizens to apply for. They are meant to pay for funerals, settle debts, and cover other expenses that come up after a family member passes away. Sometimes these are called burial policies for seniors.
Why Do Seniors Need Life Insurance?
- Protect a business in case an owner, key employee, or partner passes away.
- Pass on tax free cash to family members
- Provide for family member's living expenses.
- Pay for Funerals, Debts, and other Final Expenses.
- Use as an asset that can be borrowed against, cashed in, etc.
It is easy to get a fast, safe, and free life insurance quote with our convenient online forms. You are minutes away from affordable life insurance!
Affordable Business Insurance
Most business owners do not like to take time to deal with their business insurance. It is understandable, but on the other hand, the lack of proper commercial insurance can ruin a company. To save time, and buy one affordable coverage package, a product called abusiness owners policy (BOP) can be an idea solution.
A Business Owners Policy May Contain:
- Business Property Insurance
- Business Liability Insurance
- Business Income Loss Coverage
That was not intended to be a complete list, but a basic starting point if you are a small business owner who needs to shop for coverage. These policies are very popular with common small businesses like dentist's offices, auto mechanics, beauty salons, and small shops in a strip shopping center.
Learn more about the types of business insurance you may need.
Why Do Seniors Buy Final Expense Insurance?
What is Final Expense Insurance?
These burial policies are very simple. They are smaller face value whole life insurance policies that have been designed to be easier for older people to apply for, and to purchase. They should be affordable for many families.
Who Buys Burial Insurance Policies?
Many people, 50 years old to much older, are concerned about the high cost of funerals in the US. Sometimes they purchase a final expense policy for themselves. Sometimes their concerned kids or even grandkids will pay for the policy.
This way, they can make monthly premium payments, and then rest assured that they will have the cash to pay for things like a funeral, travel, lost time at work, and even transportation of a body if their loved one passes away. Nobody wants to add more stress to a time when a loved one passes away, so many people are relieved to know that this need has been planned for.
How To Find Final Expense?
It is important to compare plan and policies, and you can run online quote forms so you can see which companies work in your local area. Look here: Final Expense For Older People.
Top Homeowners Insurance Companies For you!
Compare Home Policies Online
You can fun a free online quote to find the best homeowners insurance company for your home. This can help you if you own your own home, rent, lease out a second home, or even if you own a condo. There are several different types of home insurance, and your choices and premiums, will depend - of course - upon what you need!
Best Service and Customer Satisfaction of Home Policies
You may be very concerned about service, and of course this is important. The policies you can buy, the way a company pays claims, and even how they handle billing will affect your satisfaction. Look at the best homeowners insurance policies by satisfaction here.
Home Insurance Companies Financial Ratings
These days, we also want to look at the financial ratings and stability of any insurer we choose. You can find a list here to look at these criteria - Top Rated Homeowners Insurance.
So Which is Best?
Well, what you may have realized by now is that there is not one right answer for all homeowners! Not all policies are sold in all zip codes, so the companies that do business in your city will be the first thing to know. And then you want to look at financial stability and customer service. Finally, look at the policies and prices to see which ones fit your needs and budget.
Does this sound complicated? We want to make it simple for you to choose the right type of coverage, and then to use our free online homeowners quote forms - Types of Homeowners Insurance.
Online Car Insurance Shopping
Do you need cheaper car insurance?
You should understand a little bit about how insurers rate applicants, and give them price quotes, in order to find the best insurance deal for yourself and your family drivers!
Comparison Shop For Car Insurance
You can do some comparison shopping too, and should never assume that every insurer will offer you a similar rates! Get cheap car insurance quotes online with fast, safe, and free quote forms! You can enter your basic driving details, like the type of car you have and your age and zip, and then relax because eager insurers will want to compete for your business!
Higher Risk Drivers
Some types of drivers can be harder to insure. Some examples of these may be drivers with some accidents or younger drivers. But that is no reason to pay to much either! You can certainly get some tips on finding cheap car insurance for young drivers. This includes teen drivers and young adults who are under 25. Since insurers think that these younger people are impulsive and inexperienced they may automatically charge them more. But you can do some things to find decent discounts.
Some examples of ways to lower premiums are finding a less expensive car to insure, taking a driver's education or safety class, and combining multiple policies with one insurer.
Top Insurance Companies List By Ranks
How Do You FInd the Top Insurance Company?
You have to keep in mind that most aspects of insurance are regulated at the state, and not the national level in the US! So it is hard to come up with a list of life or health insurance companies that will be the best that will be as meaningful in California or Florida as it is in New York or Texas! However, lots of people want to find thebest insurance, and lots of attempts have been made to create insurance company lists (people like lists!).
Life - This page has a: top life insurance companies list which has a ranking of companies by revenues and assets. But the article also points out that compay size may not be a good way to find an affordable policy that is right for you. Other factors like affordable rates, friendly underwriting policies, and low consumer complain ratios need to be considered.
Health - The top health insurance companies rank list was done by a ranking on many factors, as it was published in US News and World Report for 2007. This list also has local or state based plans and warns consumers that they need to research plans in their own area.
Compare Quotes For Your Area!
We always want to help consumers safe time and money. Free online quote forms are simple to fill out. Then click submit, and find thebest insurance rates and plans!
Is Women's Car Insurance Cheaper?
Why Is Women's Car Insurance Cheaper?
Well, you can find low cost car insurance for women because of several factors.
Women may be less agressive and more prudent drivers than men are. In addition, women tend to buy cars based upon safety features. Men may be more tempted to by sportier, high horsepower cars. Safe cars mean that drivers will make less claims, and those claims should be lower.
The disparity between male and female car insurance rates is especially large when you look at young drivers. For Under Age 25 Car Insurance, young women and girls should be more cheaper to insure than men.
Find Lower Rate Car Insurance For Women and Men
You can use internet car insurance quote forms to make it easy to compare rates and plans that are available in your local area. You can enter you basic information one time, and then sit back while top rated insurers compete for your business!
Why Do Senior Citizens Need Life Insurance Policies?
Too many people assume that the golden years bring an end to responsibility. They picture grandma and grandpa sitting in their rocking chairs out on the porch, with grandma knitting and grandpa looking out into the sunset. This is a great scene, and it can be a wonderful image of retirement! However we all know that this picture of grandma and grandpa is hardly complete. American seniors are living longer, staying healthy, and being quite productive well into their traditional retirement years.
During these hard times the children and grandchildren are moving back in with the grandparents as they still need their support. The picture of grandma and grandpa attending school functions, like, picking up the children when they are sick may be created because these days multiple generations are still living with them.
Go Right Here To Learn About No Medical Exam Life Insurance For Seniors
Senior Citizens Still May Have Financial Obligations
Funeral and other expenses can cost thousands of dollars today. The average cost of a funeral in the US can cost $8,000.00 and many can cost much more. In addition to the cost of funerals, other Bills may have to be paid. Medical bills can arrive in the mail for months on end after a loved one passes away. The person who passed away could leave debts that need to be settled and assets that need to be handled. Family members may need to travel; either for their jobs or they might need to take off work it is an incredible burden to have to come up with thousands of dollars to settle all of these bills during a very sad and stressful time.
Many seniors may want to transfer their wealth to the next generation. A tax free way to transfer their wealth is by cashing in your life insurance policy and giving them the cash. Paying life insurance premiums, with the assurance that heirs can inherit the money, are an affordable way to plan for this.
Some life insurance policies have a cash value, or they can be settled for a cash value. Some types of life insurance, like whole life and universal life policies, actually build up a cash value.
This value can be borrowed against or cashed in when the policy owner needs money. In addition to providing valuable coverage, it can also be a way to build up and asset. Many people like this idea of combining coverage with a savings or investment plan. Tern life does not usually have a cash value, but some may have an option to convert to a permanent type of life insurance.
So universal life insurance, whole life insurance, and some term life, may be sold for a cash settlement to an investor. In other words, some policies may be sold for more than their cash value.
Seniors may still have a need for life insurance because responsibility does not end at 65! The good news is that insurers are extending affordable coverage to older people. You can compare the available policies in your area with a fast online quote form >>> Life Insurance For Older People
Online Auto Insurance Quotes - What to Expect
The first thing that most people wonder is why they should even bother to compare quotes when they already have an insurer who has taken their business for many years.
However, experts advise consumers to compare prices periodically, even up to once every six to 12 months. Why? Well, your circumstances change more often than you think. The way you use your car, the type of car you drive, or your driving record do change. In addition insurers compete based on coverage and price. The reality is, you may get a better deal from another company!
We believe you can find the best car insurance quotes online for a couple of reasons.
1. You can save lots of time over caling around. Just enter your basic auto and driving details one time, and then click the submit button. Multiple competive insurers will return quotes for you.
2. You can save money by finding the company that wants to offer you the best coverage deal!
Join the 21st Century Insurance Consumer Movement. Find Internet Auto Insurance Quotes with safe, fast, and free online quote forms.
Tip for home insurance discounts
Affordable Insurance Quotes To Save You Money!
Homeowners Insurance Mayhem
OK, I decided to wake up from my deep sleep on my homeowners insurance and follow the advice of Bay Area Houston who recently wrote about his USAA coverage. His advice was that in 2007, check your homeowners insurance coverage, particularly to check to see if your coverage for water, sewage and foundation had been dropped without you being aware of it. The mental nudge to me was that he had received a letter in 2003 along with a workbook about the new coverage "options."
For various personal reasons, that info came in the mail to me at a time when I was a little overwhelmed and I sort of remembered getting that same stuff - from USAA - and sticking it away in a folder. Plus, to be perfectly honest, at the time, I didn't understand what all of that info was about because the language was pretty slick about "new coverage options, additional coverage options and policy discount information." Hmm. I still can't find any discount info in any of the stuff they sent me. It's either not there or it's miniscule.
Well, I found all of that paperwork and sure enough, I am paying about the same amount in premiums for my homeowners insurance as I was before the changes in my policy, but I am getting less coverage. Specifically, mold, water, sewage and foundation coverage became options instead of standard parts of my policy.
So, I called up USAA and asked them to add water, sewage and foundation back in. They will (but not until my policy renews in March), to the tune of around $300, increasing my annual premium by about 30%. This is exactly the same story you'll read at that Bay Area Houston link.
Seriously, check your homeowners insurance coverage as one of your New Year's resolutions in 2007. You don't want your plumbing pipes to burst and find out that you don't have coverage (good grief, my water heater is in the attic!) You don't want to bear the burden of tens of thousands of dollars in foundation repairs without insurance coverage. Be prepared. It's the foundation coverage that will cost you the most. And, with USAA, there is a $15,000 limit on your new and improved optional foundation coverage.
And, while you are at it, hug a blogger, because you are not hearing about this anywhere else.