Homeowners Coverage

Generally, a homeowners insurance policy includes at least six different coverage parts. The names of the parts may vary by insurance company, but they typically are referred to as Dwelling, Other Structures, Personal Property, Loss of Use, Personal Liability and Medical Payments coverages. They are usually presented as policy sections and are often labeled Coverages A through F. This article discusses Coverage Parts A, B, and C, which protect property.

Coverage A, Dwelling

Home fire risk increase in winterThe homeowner policy’s first coverage section protects your house and any attached structures, such as garages, decks or fences. The typical policy covers your home when it is damaged by many perils (also known as causes of loss) including fires or storms. However, the following causes of loss are usually excluded from coverage under the homeowner’s policy:

  • Earthquake
  • Flood
  • Faulty maintenance
  • Damage from insects or vermin
  • Wear and tear, gradual damage or deterioration

Coverage B, Other Structures

This coverage section protects structures that are not attached to the home, such as a detached (separate) garage, storage or utility shed playground equipment and swimming pools.

Coverage C, Personal Property

Golf Cart used in competitive drivingThis covers your possessions, whether they are at your home or away with you on vacation. Personal property is often covered on a named peril basis. This means that only the causes of loss listed in the policy section are covered. The coverage is also subject to limitations and exclusions. Types of property having significant value, such as jewelry, fine arts, collectibles, etc., may require special protection. Talk to your agent about scheduling (adding) coverage on a floater which broadens and extends coverage for high-valued possessions.

Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost

Commonly, protection under sections A and B is provided on either an actual cash value or a replacement cost basis. Actual cash value is defined as replacement cost minus depreciation. Replacement cost is the actual cost to replace the structure, regardless of depreciation. Check your policy to see which type of coverage you have. Coverage under section C is usually provided on an actual cash basis. However, your agent may be able to add replacement cost to your possessions just like that found in Coverage A.

Part one discussed how a typical homeowner policy covers buildings and structures. Now let’s look at Coverage Part D, which is also a property coverage; as well as Coverage Parts E and F. These latter parts address coverage for injuries to persons or damage to property that belongs to others.

Coverage D, Loss of Use

This coverage handles the cost of additional living expenses while your home is being repaired. The coverage also applies if the home is unusable. However, the loss or loss of access has to be the result of an event that is covered by the policy. For instance, if your home was damaged during a war and you had to abandon it, Coverage D would not be available because war is excluded. Additional expenses normally include food, housing, and transportation. However, the expenses must exceed what your family normally incurs.

Coverage E, Personal Liability

This Coverage Part responds if you are legally responsible for causing property damage or Avoid this insurance claim. Slipping on Sidewalkphysical injury. Protection includes paying for your defense costs and any financial judgment for covered incidents. Naturally, the coverage would not apply for excluded situations, such as intentional injuries. Example: Joe is sued by a guy he injured after tackling and repeatedly punching him during a pickup basketball game. The injuries from this incident are not accidental and would not be covered.

Coverage F, Medical Payments

This Part provides rapid reimbursement for minor injuries, such as a guest who trips and falls while visiting your home. This coverage does not apply to a family member. For example, if your child and your neighbor’s child are both injured while playing and need to go to the emergency room, this coverage will pay for your neighbor’s expenses but not for your own child.

This is a brief overview of homeowners insurance. All of the coverage provided by the homeowner’s policy is subject to limitations such as exclusions, policy limits, and deductibles. It’s important that you discuss the details of coverage and any other insurance questions with your insurance agent.

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Tackling Insurance Terminology; Homeowner’s Insurance

Insurance TerminologyHomeowners Insurance is the insurance policy used to protect your home and contents.  Insurance for your house can come in various forms. Taking the time to understand what your policy does and doesn’t cover is essential.

 
In its most common form, home insurance is written as a package policy. A package policy occurs when an insured’s home and auto coverage come from the same insurer. Individuals that can keep their home and auto insurance together enjoy significant savings.
The primary purpose of homeowner’s insurance is to indemnify your home against loss. In most cases, the policy also protects personal belongings and additional structures.
 
Besides protecting property, most homeowners policies also provide personal liability coverage. This coverage provides protection in the event another party suffers loss due to the negligence of the homeowner.
 
We advise homeowners to actively participate in the insurance process. Reading your insurance policy should never be considered optional. Some of the more important aspects to consider are:
 
Covered Causes of Loss
Limits
Deductibles especially those state as a percentage
All information used to identify and describe your property
 
It is important to remember that certain risks are not covered by the homeowners insurance policy. Earthquake, flood, water backup, sinkhole, as well as other significant risks, are typically offered a la carte.

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Perils of Tailgating

High School FootballAutumn is noted for the color and delight found in the changing of the seasons! But change also arrives in the form of the colorful masses that gather and celebrate…..around football stadiums. It happens around high school games on Friday nights and on crisp cool Saturdays around colleges and universities. It happens on Sunday afternoons, Sunday Nights, Monday Nights and all the other times that they squeeze in days and times for professional football. From amateur to professional contests, upwards of 50 million people annually enjoy tailgating.

Tailgating refers to the custom of arriving to games many hours before the scheduled event’s beginning, Tailgating, reducing the risklowering vehicle tailgates and enjoying food, drinks and recreational activities! Tailgating began simply enough with socializing among folks who came to game locations early enough to secure scarce parking. The socialization was enhanced by food and drinks, then the events became more elaborate involving bring your own pitch-ins, barbecues, concerts, recreational sports, etc.

  • Sadly, most activities that involve large crowds are too frequently accompanied by various dangers. Of course, it makes sense to reduce the chance of injury or loss by taking precautions such as the following:
    Avoid using breakable containers for beverages or for any food service items. Dropping items is unavoidable and glass shards can cause serious injuries during a time where getting quick medical assistance can be difficult
  • Carry a well-stocked, comprehensive first aid kit, especially to handle burns, dehydration, sunburns, cuts, and bruises
  • Restrict games and activities to larger, clear areas that minimize the chance of injury to non-participants
  • If games or activities are near high-traffic areas, use spotters, persons situated to warn those passing by such areas.
  • Be very careful with cooking areas, never leave them unattended, keep them away from pedestrians (especially children) and be sure to have safety gear, such as fire extinguishers
  • Keep an eye out for thieves who often target unlocked vehicles for valuables

It is also very important to make sure that you are properly insured to handle possible damage or loss of your property. It is far more important to carry insurance coverage to protect you for injury or loss you may cause to others. Tailgating can be enormous fun, but with great fun comes great responsibility. Protect yourself and others.

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Dwelling Fire Policy

 

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August 7, 2018

Dwelling Fire Policy

A dwelling fire policy is most often considered for properties that do not meet the eligibility requirements required for a standard homeowners policy.  While coverages will vary for one insurance company to the next, coverages offered by typical homeowners policies will provide protection against more hazards.

Coverage Forms

If you are considering a dwelling fire policy it is important to understand which coverage form is being utilized.  Homeowners policies are written with one of three forms.  Understanding which form is being utilized is important to the insured as it defines the hazards or causes of loss which the policy will cover.  Covered causes of loss are typically specified under one of the three forms below:

  • Form 1     often referred to as the Basic Form covers only named perils: Wind, Hail, Lightning, Fire, Smoke, Explosion, Sprinkler Leakage, Sinkhole Collapse, Riot, Civil Commotion, Aircraft, Vehicles, Vandalism, and Volcanic Activity.
  • Form 2     the Broad Form covers the hazards included in the basic form plus; Burglary, Falling Objects, Weight of Ice and Snow, Accidental Water Damage, Artificially Generated Electricity, and Freezing of Plumbing
  • Form 3     the Special Form provides homeowners with the most comprehensive protection.  Unlike the Basic and Broad form, Form 3 protects the insured from all perils unless they are specifically excluded.  Common Exclusions include; Earthquake, Flood, Neglect, Ordinance of Law, Power Failure, Intentional Acts, War, and Nuclear Hazard.

 

Liability Protection

Typically, homeowners policies automatically provide liability protection to the insured. This is generally Return to TruePoint Home Pagenot an automatic feature in the dwelling fire policy, however, it may be offered as a policy endorsement.  It is important for those considering a dwelling fire policy to explore options regarding liability insurance.

 

 

 

As in all case regarding the purchase of insurance, we strongly encourage you to read all policy related documents and seek the advice of an unbiased insurance professional.

 

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Special Form

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August 4, 2018

Special Form (Homeowners Insurance Covered Causes of Loss: Special Form)

The Special Form is the most comprehensive of the three ISO (International Organization for Standardization) forms used by the insurance industry.  The forms are used to define which perils or causes of loss are covered.  Unlike the Basic and Broad Form, the Special Form does not specify the covered causes of loss.  This form actually covers all causes of loss unless they have been specifically excluded.  Generally, the Special Form excludes coverages for the following perils:

  • Earthquake                                                Return to TruePoint Home Page
  • Flood
  • Neglect
  • Ordinance of Law
  • Power Failure
  • Intentional Acts,
  • War
  • Nuclear Hazard

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Broad Form

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August 4, 2018

Broad Form (Homeowners Insurance Covered Causes of Loss: Broad Form)

The Broad Form is one of three ISO (International Organization for Standardization) use by the insurance industry to define which perils or causes of loss are covered.  Generally, the Broad Form covers the perils covered by the Basic Form (see below):

  • Wind, Hail                                                    Return to TruePoint Home Page
  • Lightning
  • Fire
  • Smoke
  • Explosion
  • Sprinkler Leakage
  • Sinkhole Collapse
  • Riot
  • Civil Commotion
  • Collison by Aircraft
  • Collision by Vehicles
  • Vandalism
  • Volcanic Activity

Plus the Following:

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  • Burglary
  • Falling Objects
  • Weight of Ice and Snow
  • Artificially Generated Electricity
  • Freezing of Plumbing

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Basic Form

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August 2, 2018

Basic Form (Homeowners Insurance Covered Causes of Loss: Basic Form)

The Basic Form is one of three ISO (International Organization for Standardization) use by the insurance industry to define which perils or causes of loss are covered.  Generally, the Basic Form covers the following:

  • Wind, Hail
  • Lightning
  • FireLearn about the special form
  • Smoke
  • Explosion
  • Sprinkler Leakage
  • Sinkhole Collapse
  • Riot
  • Civil Commotion
  • Collison by Aircraft
  • Collision by Vehicles  
  • Vandalism
  • Volcanic Activity

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Insuring A Mobile or Manufactured Home

Mobile HomeInsurers commonly provide coverage for mobile/manufactured homes by modifying a conventional homeowner policy with provisions called endorsements. The endorsements change key definitions and other elements of a conventional policy to fit a mobile or manufactured home situation. The result is a modified homeowner package that protects the home, outbuildings (unattached garages, sheds, etc.) and personal property. They also provide insurance for personal liability. Regardless of the type of home you own or live in, it is important that you learn about the coverage options that are available. You may find that different policies vary considerably in coverage and price.

Coverage for mobile/manufactured homes is generally offered using two approaches. Some policies include a laundry list of items (or perils) that may cause a loss. Other policies protect your home against everything EXCEPT for a host of specified perils. Either approach includes liability coverage that protects you for injuries or losses to others which you accidentally cause.

Property Insurance Needs

Manufactured HomeAny coverage option you choose is likely to reflect the fact that mobile homes are, well, mobile. Therefore coverage is affected by the fact that mobile homes:

  • are able to move under their own power (or are capable of being easily transported);
  • are more susceptible to wind damage,
  • tend to lose value with age.

The mobility of such homes creates a special need to protect the financial interest of the business that lent the money to purchase the home. For example, a mobile home owner who lives in Ohio decides to drive his home to Arkansas. The soon-to-be Arkansas resident “forgets” to mention his plan (and his new address) to his Ohio Mortgage Company. The Ohio lender would be out of luck if the policy didn’t include protection for this whimsical act. Another way in which a mobile or manufactured homeowner policy differs from conventional homeowner coverage involves coverage for unattached buildings. This coverage is usually minimal for, say, $2,000. Such a provision helps keep the premiums for policies lower by avoiding paying claims on very low-value structures. The coverage is likely to be offered on an actual cash value basis. Unfortunately, mobile and manufactured homes tend to lose value over time.

Mobile Home Insurance

The policy is likely to include a provision that requires you to get permission to move your home. Once granted, you’re likely to get thirty days of special transportation protection for collision; sinking, upset or stranding (a special, higher deductible may apply during the move). Another common coverage feature is coverage for your attempt to move the home in order to prevent damage from an insured cause of loss. For example, you move your mobile home fifty feet to get away from a neighboring trailer that is on fire. IMPORTANT: coverage for moving endangered property usually has a modest limit (several hundred dollars is typical) because of owners who may be too heroic or clumsy for anyone’s good.

Liability Insurance Needs

The liability protection connected with mobile or manufactured homes is, for all practical purposes, identical to the liability provided to conventional homeowners. Why? The likelihood of guests to be hurt at your home, or your probability of being sued, tends to be the same. The important thing to remember is that your agent is a tremendous source for getting the information you need to be sure that your home and property are adequately protected at a reasonable price.

COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2016

All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.