15 Questions to Ask Your Homeowner’s Insurance Agent

by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info | 0 comments

Looking for affordable Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance, but don’t know where to start?

We sat down with California Casualty Sales Team Manager Mike D. and found out all of the important questions you should be asking when you call your agent for a quote.

1. Is homeowner’s insurance required?

If you have a home mortgage, then maintaining homeowner’s insurance is generally a requirement of your loan agreement. Even if you own your home outright, it’s recommended that you protect your equity in the home by maintaining homeowner’s insurance.

2. How are homeowner’s insurance rates calculated?

While there’s no way to predict the future, home insurance providers do their best to charge a rate that’s based on both the coverage limits and the likelihood of future losses occurring.

They may consider things such as previous loss history for both the homeowner and the actual home or surrounding area, the physical characteristics of the home, the age of some critical components of the home such as the roof, plumbing, and electrical systems, and even the types of weather activity in the area.

3. What is the dwelling coverage limit and how is it calculated?

One of the most critical coverages on your policy is the Dwelling Coverage. This is the maximum amount of money your insurance provider will pay to rebuild your house. Especially in periods of economic inflation and building supply or labor shortages, the true rebuild cost of your home may be substantially higher than the market value and even much higher than the cost of building a new house on an empty lot.

If your insurance provider hasn’t recalculated the cost to rebuild your home recently, then you may be at risk of running out of coverage if you experience a total loss.

California Casualty is committed to providing policies that will truly indemnify our group members after a loss. When you speak with a California Casualty agent, he or she will have a conversation with you about the details of your home’s construction to ensure your home is protected.

4. What’s the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?

Some components of the structure of your home and all of your Personal Property within it may be covered for either Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost at the time of a loss.

For example, if you own a refrigerator that’s now 10 years old that originally cost $1,500 when it was new, the current market value of your fridge may now only be $500. A policy that insures your Personal Property for Actual Cash Value would only pay you $500 if your fridge is destroyed by a covered loss.

However, a policy that insures your Personal Property for Replacement Cost would pay the full amount required to replace the fridge with a reasonably equivalent new fridge.

5. What is liability coverage?

Personal liability coverage on a home insurance policy pays for damages and legal defense if you’re legally responsible for injuries to others or damage to their property. It generally follows the insured when they’re both at and away from their home.

6. When do I need an umbrella policy?

An umbrella policy provides additional personal liability insurance that starts to pay after your underlying limits of liability on your home insurance policy have been exhausted after a covered loss.

While there’s no way to know for sure how much liability coverage you may need, understanding what you stand to lose is a good place to start. If you’re being sued, it’s possible that equity in your home, your personal savings, and your income may be at risk. If the value of two years of your annual income, the equity in your home, and your savings exceed the liability limits on your auto or home insurance policies, then you should consider an umbrella policy to protect your net worth.

7. What should I set my deductible at?

There’s no single right answer. Generally, the higher your deductible, the lower the cost of your insurance premium. Since the deductible is the amount your insurance provider will subtract from an insurance payout, you’ll have to select a deductible that you’re comfortable paying out-of-pocket after a loss.

There can be diminishing returns if you set your deductible much higher than average, so as a consumer, you need to balance the premium savings against the amount you’d be required to pay after a loss.

8. What are endorsements, and how do they affect my policy?

Endorsements modify your coverage, meaning they may increase or decrease your coverage. They may also remove restrictions to your coverage or add restrictions to your coverage.

For example, at California Casualty we provide coverage enhancements to our group members that are tailored to their needs based on occupation or professional association. However, some companies only offer a standard suite of options for home insurance commodifying the product.

9. Is homeowner’s insurance tax-deductible?

Home insurance is not tax-deductible on your primary dwelling. However, home insurance may be tax-deductible for rental properties.

10. What natural disasters does homeowner’s insurance typically not cover?

Some of the more notable natural disasters that homeowner’s insurance typically does not cover include flood and earth movement (for example earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, etc.). Typically flood and earth movement must be added independently.

11. Do I need flood insurance? Do I need earthquake insurance?

Flood Insurance may be required depending on the requirements of your home mortgage. Earthquake Insurance isn’t generally required but is recommended if you live in an area where earth movement is more prevalent.

12. Do I need extra coverage for my home-based business?

Most home insurance policies have restrictions for losses related to a home-based business. It’s important to speak with your agent about the nature of your business in order for them to determine what coverage options are available.

13. Should I increase my coverage when I make updates to my house?

Generally, home updates increase the rebuild cost of your home. Since it’s the job of the insurance provider to have enough coverage to rebuild your home after a total loss, you should discuss anything that may increase the rebuild cost of your home with your home insurance agent.

14. What’s the easiest way to reduce my monthly premium?

Keep in mind that in some cases the premium is inversely related to the quality of service and coverage you can expect to receive from an insurance provider. With that being said, the easiest way to reduce your monthly home insurance premium is generally to increase your deductible. But as mentioned above, there may be diminishing returns on premium reduction, the higher you go with your deductible.

15. Am I eligible for any discounts?

It’s rare that a customer and their home would be ineligible for all discounts. If you’re eligible for a discount, then your agent should have proactively explored those options with you to provide you with the best price possible from your first day as a customer. Talk to your agent and ask what discounts you may qualify for.

If your agent confirms that you’re receiving all discounts available, but you still feel that your insurance rates are too high, reach out to California Casualty to see if you can get more for your money with your policy.

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.

Insurance Coverage for Your Location

by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info | 0 comments

Droughts, fires, floods, and storms – natural disasters can wreak havoc on your home and your property. Yet, many of us live in regions that are prone to them. If you live in such a place – or if you’re considering moving into one – how do you protect your investment?

Two ways: 1. Know your risks. 2. Have the right protection.

Know Your Risks: Is your region prone to a natural disaster?

A natural disaster can happen anywhere at any time. Weather patterns in a region are a good predictor of whether your area will likely be at-risk now and in the future.

The average weather pattern in a place over several decades is called a climate. An area’s climate affects the weather and the type of natural disaster(s) they are prone to. For example, we know the West has a very dry climate that causes frequent wildfires; the Northwest is known for its wet weather, which could lead to severe flooding. The Midwest is associated with brutally cold winters which can lead to devastating winter storms. And the warm coastal climate of the South East is the prime environment for hurricanes.

If you want to know the most common weather risks to your home or in your area, you can do a free climate risk assessment on ClimateCheck.

Know Your Risks: 6 Common Disaster Risks

Disasters come in many forms, from tornadoes and hurricanes to floods and droughts. Following are six types of disaster risks that may affect your home or property.

1. Heat Risk

Extreme heat occurs when there is high heat and humidity, and temperatures exceed 90 degrees for a period of days. In terms of disasters, extreme heat can sometimes lead to fires. (See the Fire Risk section for more detail.) U.S. counties with the greatest risk for heat include 37 counties in the south with a third of them located in Florida.

2. Drought Risk

Droughts occur when there is not sufficient precipitation. Not only does this put a stress on the water supply, but it can also have a severe impact on your landscaping. Soil dryness can also lead to settling issues with your home’s foundation. Unfortunately, for most homeowner policies, settling or shrinking is not a covered loss. U.S. counties with the greatest risk for drought include 34 counties in the west, with 21 in Colorado.

3. Fire Risk

When drought occurs and heat becomes extreme, the conditions are right for a fire to start. Wildfires can destroy your home or community. Wildfires account for about $16.5 billion in damages annually in the U.S. In the event of a fire caused by a natural disaster, your home’s dwelling coverage will pay to repair or rebuild your home up to your policy limit. U.S. counties with the greatest risk of fire are located in the West.

4. Flood Risk

This includes coastal flooding as well as flooding from surface water or nearby lakes and streams. Rising sea levels and extreme weather have contributed to flooding, which cost as much as $20 billion annually in the U.S. A traditional homeowner’s policy does not cover flooding. For your home to be covered you will need to purchase a separate flood policy. U.S. counties with the greatest risk of flooding are mostly located in the south, including Florida, Louisiana, and North Carolina.

5. Severe Storm Risk

Storms include high wind, wet or snowy weather events. These could be hail storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, or other types of destructive weather. Storm damage in the U.S. averages about $17 billion annually. Your homeowner’s policy may cover some aspects of storm damage, including hail, wind or lightning. If you are unsure, check with your insurance’s Service Department to see what is covered under your policy. U.S. counties with the highest risk of storms are located in the Northeast or Southeast.

6. Earthquake Risk

Earthquakes typically occur along fault lines and can cost millions in damages. In the U.S., they are more common in California and Alaska. A pair of earthquakes struck Ridgecrest City, California, in 2019, causing nearly $40 million in damage. Importantly, while earthquakes cause significant damage to buildings and property, they are not covered by the typical homeowner’s policy. In some states, however, you can purchase coverage for earthquakes for an additional premium.

Have the Right Protection: Do you have enough insurance for a disaster?

If a natural disaster happens in your community, and your home and property are damaged, you want to be able to rebuild. Yet, many homeowners find themselves having to fund portions of the rebuilding process because they’re underinsured. Here’s what you need to know.

• • During a disaster, your neighbors will be rebuilding at the same time. When demand exceeds supply, that can drive up prices for materials and labor. These increased costs usually aren’t factored into homeowner’s coverage, and you have to pay out of pocket for the difference. Some policies carry a mandatory endorsement added to the policy that provides an additional 25% of coverage to cover these additional costs. There is a fee for this endorsement, known as extended repair/replacement cost.
  • You may be required to meet new and stricter building codes when you rebuild. You may use up to 10% of Coverage A for the increased costs you incur due to the enforcement of any ordinance or law. For an additional premium, increased amounts of coverage can be purchased via an endorsement.
  • If your area is prone to floods or earthquakes, you will want those additional policies. Your homeowner’s policy does not cover these events. Keep in mind that there is a 30-day waiting policy for flood insurance.
  • Rebuilding a home can take a long time. Your policy’s living expense coverage will provide a flat percentage toward living costs, usually 30% of the Coverage A amount. Some states have time limits (e.g. 12 months) on when you can use that coverage. Plan to cover those additional expenses out of pocket.

You want to be fully prepared for a disaster, and not just with a disaster plan. Talk with your insurer about your home and property to ensure that you are fully covered, no matter which location you call home.

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.

Common Home Insurance Purchasing Mistakes

by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info | 0 comments

Your home is one of your greatest investments; you need to make sure that it’s fully protected. That’s where home insurance comes in, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. There are plenty of decisions to make when buying your own policy- from coverage limits and extra protection for your belongings to important add-ons like water back up and sump pump discharge or overflow coverage and flood insurance.

It’s easy to make a quick choice when looking for insurance without realizing there could be major consequences (that could cost you thousands of dollars out-of-pocket). That’s why we’ve compiled the most common home insurance purchasing mistakes, so that you won’t make them.

Don’t just look at the price.

Of course, you want a good price. However, sometimes a cheap policy is a red flag. The company may be shady. Talk to friends and neighbors about companies they use. See which ones are endorsed by your union, bank, etc. If you’re worried that the price is “too good to be true,” check the coverage to make sure it’s not missing important items. Also, consider that there are many ways to lower your home insurance costs if price is a concern.

Don’t buy the wrong type of policy.

There’s a different policy for insuring your home when you’re living in it, versus insuring your home when you’re renting it out. Make sure your policy addresses your living situation. If you have the wrong type of policy, there is a chance your claim may not be covered.

Don’t underinsure your home.

It may be tempting to insure your home for the amount that you owe on it, and nothing more. Don’t do it. If your home is worth $350,000 and you owe $50,000 on the mortgage, you should insure your home for the full amount. If you insure it just for $50,000, that’s what you’ll get if your home is declared a total loss. All of that money will go to the bank and you’ll be left with nothing to rebuild. That’s why at California Casualty, we don’t write a policy unless it covers 100% of the replacement cost. Ask us about our 360Value tool which makes sure you’re insured for full value.

Don’t reduce your coverage to lower your premium.

If you’re using a company other than California Casualty, and you decide to reduce your coverage below your home’s value to lower your premium, you’re putting yourself at risk. You won’t have enough money to rebuild. The better way to go is to raise your deductible. This is the amount that you pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in. You can do this to save money with your California Casualty policy, too. According to NerdWallet, you could save 20 percent by raising a $500 deductible to $1,000. If you do increase your deductible, make sure that you can cover that deductible should something happen.

Don’t think flood or earthquake insurance is automatically included.

Many people don’t realize that homeowner’s insurance does not include floods or earthquakes. For that, you will need a separate policy. If you’re in a flood zone, you will want that extra insurance. There’s a 30-day waiting period to buy flood insurance so don’t wait until the last minute. Live in an earthquake-prone zone? The same principles apply and you will not be covered by just a regular home insurance policy.

Don’t skip the additional coverage.

As with floods and earthquakes, not everything is covered in your basic policy. Know what is covered and what is not covered so that you aren’t surprised in the event of a loss. Take an inventory of your possessions. Make sure your policy covers the valuables in your home. There’s a theft limit to jewelry coverage, and so you might need an insurance rider, an optional add-on to your policy. 

You might want additional coverage for water backup and sump pump discharge or overflow. 

If you’re a member of a homeowner’s association, you might consider increasing your loss assessments coverage which goes toward special assessments for expenses associated with your community. However, you may be surprised at what your policy does cover, such as your garden shed or detached garage and its contents. It also covers your kid’s stuff when he/she is away at school, your parent’s stuff if you’re storing it for them while they’re in a nursing home. Those are covered at just 10% of coverage limits, so you might consider additional coverage. 

Don’t forget to ask about discounts.

You may qualify for insurance discounts for being part of a professional association, such as groups for teachers, nurses, or first responders. There are also discounts for being 55+ and retired, and for paying in full upfront. You may qualify for a new home discount, or a discount if you have updated your utilities (electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling) in an older home. There are discounts for a new roof and an automatic sprinkler system, for fire and burglar alarms, and for monitored security systems. You can even be rewarded for being a loyal customer. When you bundle your home and auto insurance, you can often qualify for reduced rates, saving hundreds of dollars.

Don’t go it alone.

Insurance is complicated. Your house is one of your most expensive assets. Take the extra step and talk in-depth to a professional insurance agent. At California Casualty we tailor our coverage to you and your home. Your agent can help determine the unique risks for your home and what you need to fully protect it—and that you don’t pay more than you have to. 

Don’t buy it and forget it.

Remember to update your policy if you renovate your house. Some companies’ contracts require you to notify them if a renovation exceeds a certain amount. In addition, you’ll want to update your policy immediately if you buy or receive additional valuables, such as jewelry. 

Make sure to sit down each year to review your policy.  Ask what additional endorsements are available. Review your renewals; policies change and these changes will often be explained in the renewal packet. Consider increasing personal liability to cover, at a minimum, the market value of your home. 

Finally, don’t forget to…

• • Shop around. Getting competitive quotes will help you determine the right price.
  • Ask friends and family members for referrals to their insurance company. 
  • Research the company. Make sure the company is licensed to work in your state. Check its reviews on the Better Business Bureau and online. 
  • Look for a company that will be responsive to your needs. Good customer service and claims service are key.

It’s your home. Make sure it’s protected.

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com