Not everyone can afford to buy a house in one payment, which is why most people opt for a mortgage. One of the most important things to keep in mind when paying for your mortgage is your home insurance. Unlike auto insurance, home insurance is not a legal requirement. However, most banks and lenders will insist that borrowers have home insurance covered before they lend money to buy a home. The purpose of getting home insurance is so that there is a financial relief that you can rely upon if your home, property, or personal belongings are damaged in an event such as flooding or theft. It’s imperative that you keep the following things in mind:
Consult Your Financial Advisor
Insurance policies may be difficult to understand completely without the help of a financial advisor. Asking your advisor important questions pertaining to the details of the policy can help you determine what kind of coverage you need in order to secure your home and its contents. There are many types of homeowners insurance policies that provide coverage for perils such as fire, theft, smoke damage, vandalism, falling objects, and even aircraft impact.
Ask What Events Aren’t Covered
If you know what events or occurrences are covered by your policy, it’s also important to determine which instances are not covered. It’s necessary to have these outlined so that you don’t encounter any unexpected setbacks when you need to file a claim. You also need to understand the liability coverage of your policy and whether or not you actually need it. This covers any legal responsibility that might arise from bringing unintentional harm to others.
Determine Whether You Need Additional Coverage
Besides protecting your house, it’s also important to determine whether you need additional coverage for the contents of your house. If you have high-value items such as expensive jewelry, a home-based business, a home office, or collectibles, you might need to get additional coverage.
Review Your Policy Whenever You Make Significant Changes to Your Home
Remember that the value of your home and its contents influences your insurance premiums and the extent of your coverage. If the value of your home increased, either through home additions, remodels, or renovations, you may need to update your homeowners insurance policy. This also applies to when you store additional valuables in your home.
If the value of your home increases, your current coverage may not fully protect your home. Nobody wants to make a claim only to find out that their house or their property is not fully-covered by the current insurance policy. If you need to make changes to your home insurance policy, it’s always best to consult with a financial advisor.
For most people, our homes represent the most valuable asset we own. Homes are expensive, and the valuables they hold may even be the majority of assets that a homeowner possesses. It’s important to keep your home and your possessions insured, especially when you never know when tragedy may happen. Along with the financial relief it offers, a home insurance policy will also provide you with peace of mind.