Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage

Your home is your biggest investment and requires coverage that accurately protects the proper value. The policy needs to reflect all special considerations and discounts that qualify. Most homeowner’s insurance policies provide coverage for your home, its contents, and other structures such as a garage or shed. Personal property is typically covered against fire, lightning, theft, windstorms and hail, smoke, damage by vehicle or aircraft, burst pipes, damage from falling objects, and damage caused by weight of snow and ice. In addition, coverage is provided for personal liability, medical expenses of others which result from injury on your premises, and damage to the property of others. Renter’s coverage is also available. Coverage is provided for your contents as well as your personal liability.

To request a Homeowners Insurance quote please give us a call to determine the coverage that best fits your needs. We’ll tailor the coverage to fit your situation. We provide comprehensive coverage for your most prized possessions, including special coverage for jewelry, paintings, antiques, cameras, and just about any kind of collectable or fine art.

Money Saving Tips for Homeowners

Raise your deductible. If you can comfortably handle a larger deductible, you can save yourself significant premium costs over the years.

Explore “package discounts” that may reduce your rates if you insure your home and cars with the same company.

Install dead bolt locks on all exterior doors. This will deter break-ins and often will qualify you for a premium discount.

Install smoke alarms in your house. Since fire losses are one of the most expensive types of claims for insurers, most insurers will add a discount if you have smoke alarms and smoke detectors in your home.

Install a home security system, including fire, water, and burglar alarms. Insurance companies encourage their policyholders to adopt these measures and may offer a premium discount for having some sort of home security system in place.

You may qualify for special discounts if you are over 50 years old, live in a gated community, etc. We will help you receive all appropriate reduced rates.

Be sure to review your policy annually. It is especially important to contact us if you are planning an addition or an extensive remodeling project on your home.

FAQ

What does credit have to do with getting homeowner's insurance?

A few years ago, insurance companies started research on a new criteria for underwriting. Based on this research, they believe that there is a strong correlation between a consumer's credit history and the number/severity of claims that they will likely submit.

Why am I being declined homeowner's insurance because I own a high risk dog?

Another frequent problem with homeowner's insurance is the presence of high risk dogs. Dog bites are extremely expensive for property insurers and the company has the right to avoid those risks.

High risks dogs include Pit Bull (Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Rottweiler, Doberman, German Shepherd, Akita, American Bull Dog, Mastiff, Wolf and Wolf hybrid, Canary Dog (Presa Canario) among others. Standard companies will usually deny coverage to anyone owning one of these animals. The Ohio Fair Plan (our state supported program) will take most of these dogs with the exception of Pit Bulls and any dog that has a bite history.

Am I covered for tornado damage and does this also include windstorms?

Since the policy specifically refers to windstorm as a covered cause of loss, some residents have wondered what exactly a windstorm includes. Tornadoes, hurricanes, high winds, thunderstorms and blizzards are all included in the definition of a windstorm. Your homeowner's policy also provides 'loss of use' benefits to cover additional living expenses while repairs are being made to your home.

Will I be covered for earthquake, flood and sewer back-up?

Flood damage is excluded under your homeowner's coverage, so you should be aware that flood insurance is only available from the National Flood Insurance Program. Most Ohio communities have qualified for the program that provides coverage for surface flooding only. Structural and contents protection are offered

Sewer back-up provides protection for direct loss caused by water that backs up through sewers, drains, or sump pump wells. This coverage has a limit (such as $10,000) and has a deductible.

Earthquake coverage is available with the premium determined by the structure of your home or building. Frame homes are cheaper to insure for earthquake than brick homes.  There is usually a percentage deductible for the loss (for example 5%).

Does homeowner's insurance cover me for my home based business?

While caring for a child for a fee, the child is injured in your home. The parents expect you to cover the hospital bills.

You replace your friend's car brakes for a "few bucks" and the car is damaged or your friend is hurt in some way. He expects compensation.

A friend slips on an icy walk or trips on a toy while picking up the craft item she paid you to make. She expects you to cover medical bills.

You use your detached garage for a small woodworking business and the garage is damaged in a windstorm. You want your garage rebuilt.

You do word processing for a fee from your home. Your computer is stolen. You want it replaced.

You are a self-employed sales representative with an office in the home. While entertaining a client in your home, the client is injured and expects compensation.

In each situation described, the answer is probably not covered unless you have added specific coverage to your policy for this home business. Take away the compensation, or business aspect, and each would probably be covered. Situations like those described could be covered with purchasing a business policy or adding a home based business endorsement to your home policy, if your company offers it.