The Hustler's Digest StaffWe all do our best to protect our homes and personal belongings in case somethinggoes wrong, but the unfortunate truth is that incidents do happen. Fires, theft, and floods are all things that do occur regularly, despite people’s best efforts to prevent them. Depending on where you live, you may also be subject to hurricanes, tornadoes, or other natural disasters.
Therefore, it is wise to protect your property in advance so that we know you’re covered in case something unexpected happens. But, where to begin? Here are some things to look out for when choosing a policy.
Coverage level
The first thing you’ll want to determine is what level of coverage you want. There are quite a few options out there, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the jargon of the insurance industry and what it means.
There are a number of different “HO” levels, each of them denoting the inclusion of various types of property. The lowest level is “HO-2,” which will give you coverage against 16 designed risks.
Levels then vary in complexity, ranging from condo coverage to higher-value homes to older homes.
Compare policies
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the general categories, it would be wise to talk to two or three different professionals to see what they offer you. Although they may be offering you similar types of deals, you’ll find that some deals are better than others. Sometimes by far!
In your search for the right policy, you may find that certain major features are not part of the base plan and need to be purchased separately. If the first agent you speak to doesn’t include what you consider to be the essentials in his or her offering, shop around more.
Be sure to check companies’ ratings, too! Agents can sometimes be slick talkers, but they might also have a reputation for scamming people. Do your homework carefully before you make a decision.
Get an overall estate appraisal
In trying to determine the value of your home, it would be worth your while to get an appraisal of your entire estate. Each piece of your property has value, not only to you but inherently, and getting an official number on these things will help you immeasurably in times of trouble.
Jewelry appraisals for insurance are also an important component of your coverage. Similarly, silver, precious heirlooms, and any other antiques you might have, should be included in your appraisal. You might not have even considered the value of some of your belongings before, although you certainly wouldn’t want to see them disappear or be damaged in a natural disaster.
Rest assured with the right policy
Once you’ve fully researched different options and spoken to a good cross-section of experts, you’ll be ready to choose the policy that’s right for you.
No one wants to feel cheated when it comes to protecting their most treasured items. Therefore, choose wisely, and live your life confident that you’ll be covered in case things go wrong.
