Use this as your guide to help find the best policy
Buying a house is a significant milestone and a pretty exciting one. As you finalize your purchase and move through the process, you’ll want to make sure getting homeowners insurance is on the top of your list. With so many options out there, both online and locally, you’ll want to do your research to be sure you’re choosing a plan that is right for you.
Why you don’t want to make a quick choice
These days, it’s hard not to want to make the buying process for anything as fast as possible. We live in a one-click, two-day-shipping world, and if we don’t get what we want when we want it, we have a tendency to get upset. But when it comes to something important like home insurance, a rash decision is something that shouldn’t be made. Your house is probably the most valuable possession you own, so it’s vital that you give it the right safeguards. To do this, you have to be smart about how you compare different policies.
Don’t just focus on the cost
Just as we want everything fast, we also want to spend as little money as possible. But this is another mistake with homeowner’s insurance. When making a home insurance quote comparison, you need to take a close look at 3specific areas:
Coverage
You, of course, want your home and everything in it to get the best possible protection, and this is why coverage is so important. First, you need to figure out exactly what you want to protect. In addition to the actual structure of your home, you need to think about any other structures you have, including a shed or fence. Then there are all of your possessions, such as appliances, furniture, and clothing to consider. You also need to think about liability coverage in event that someone was injured in your home. Once you know what you need, take a look at the different policies to see if these items are included.
Deductible
The deductible is what you’ll have to pay before insurance kicks in, so you need to pick an amount you would be comfortable paying. Once you have this figured out, make sure each policy you look at has that same deductible. And remember: A large deductible could result in cheaper insurance, but know that in the event of a claim, your out-of-pocket expenses will be higher.
Limits
The limit in a homeowner’s policy is the maximum amount of money you would receive to cover a loss. Again, in order to make an accurate comparison between policies, confirm that they all have the same limits for coverage. However, limits beyond the replacement cost of your home may be unnecessary
Don’t forget the customer service
These days, many insurance companies offer very similar types of policies and at comparable rates. But often getting somebody on the phone is nearly impossible. This is why your comparison should involve customer service and how willing a company is to answer your questions and help you in any way that they can. If an insurance provider isn’t willing to spend the time to explain your options and craft a customized plan – or worse, you can’t seem to get a hold of them – move on to one who provides great service.
Check out the discounts
A great way to save money on homeowner’s insurance is to see what discounts you may be eligible for. Before you decide on an insurer, see what they offer to sweeten the deal. While many provide discounts for alarm systems and smoke detectors, you may want to dig a little deeper. For example, some companies offer claim-free savings, but while one may last for as long as you don’t make a claim, another might only be good for a specific timeframe.
Insurance can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. When shopping around, be sure to get in touch with the insurance experts at NICRIS Insurance Agency. We will help you find the perfect policy for your home. You can give us a call at 516-544-0006 or just send us a message through our online contact form.