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Home Insurance Tips - Stay Protected!

TAYLOR LAMBERT January 28, 2025

Lately, homeowners insurance has become a hot topic—and not in a good way. With some carriers pulling out of California due to massive disaster payouts and regulatory challenges, buying a home or even keeping your current policy can feel like an uphill battle. On top of that, recent wildfires in Southern California might make things even more complicated for the insurance industry.

Soooooo, what can you do to make sure your home is properly covered? Here are a few tips to help you stay ahead of the curve.

1. Review Your Policy Regularly

It’s a good idea to touch base with your insurance agent and go over your coverage. Make sure they know about any upgrades or renovations you’ve made, like a remodeled kitchen or updated bathroom. Insurance companies use tools to estimate rebuild costs, but they can’t factor in upgrades they don’t know about. If you’ve invested in high-end finishes, your policy should reflect that.

2. Understand Rebuild Costs vs. Market Value

Your home’s rebuilding cost isn’t the same as its market value. Rebuilding is all about the actual construction costs in your area, not what your home might sell for. A quick chat with a local contractor can help you get a realistic idea of those costs. If you need to get in touch with a contractor for this, let me know and I can hook you up with some great ones. 

3. Check for “Loss of Use” Coverage

This part of your policy can be a lifesaver if your home becomes uninhabitable. It helps cover temporary housing, moving costs, storage fees, and even restaurant bills. Just keep in mind—it won’t cover your mortgage, so you’ll still need to keep up with those payments.

4. Keep Records of Your Valuables

One easy way to be prepared is to keep track of your high-value items. Snap photos of jewelry, electronics, or anything else of importance and store them somewhere electronically. Even better, consider doing a room-by-room video walkthrough of your home. If the unexpected happens, having this documentation can make filing a claim much easier. This literally will take you 5-10 minutes. 

5. Don’t Forget About Your HOA (If You Have One)

If you live in a condo or townhouse, be sure to review your homeowners association’s rules (called CC&Rs) to see what they’re responsible for versus what you need to cover.

6. Take Preventative Steps

Simple actions like trimming overhanging branches and clearing debris around your property can reduce risks—and possibly make your home more insurable. Many insurance companies now use satellite images to evaluate risk, so a well-maintained property could make a difference.

The insurance world may feel overwhelming right now, but staying proactive can help you stay ahead of potential challenges. Give your insurance company a call and touch base, if the worst happens, you'll be glad you did! 

Read also: Home Warranty vs. Home Insurance

 

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