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Can I Get Personal Property Coverage from Home Insurance?

February 2, 2023 by Steve Gebhardt

personal property coverage from home insurance

Owning a home comes with so many perks and benefits. Namely, building your own wealth rather than putting wealth in a landlord’s pocket. But it also comes with more responsibility and frustration if problems arise. Therefore, one of the most important aspects of homeownership is ensuring that if damage or disaster occurs, you are not on your own to fix or replace the destruction. You can do this by carrying insurance.

You’ve bought a homeowners insurance policy with an insurance company. But are you positive that you have the correct policies in place to protect your belongings? Are you protected against all kinds of damage? These are essential questions to answer before disaster strikes. Let’s take a look at how personal property coverage works.

Are Personal Property and Homeowners Insurance the same thing?

If you are a homeowner with dwelling coverage or if you are a renter with a landlord who has insurance, you likely think that your belongings are insured if something bad happens. But not all coverage is the same.

For homeowners, carrying a home insurance policy ensures that the structure of your house and the permanent fixtures are covered if certain perils occur. Typically, your homeowner’s insurance coverage most likely includes a personal property policy that protects your personal belongings. In many cases, your personal belongings are also covered if they are outside of the home, such as in a vehicle or a vacation rental as well. But it is not wise to just assume this is the case. If your policy does not clearly state and explain the coverage of your belongings, then you should speak to your provider. You may need to purchase a separate personal property policy that covers your belongings inside the home.

For renters, your landlord’s coverage or condo insurance covers the structure of the home and, potentially, the belongings that the landlord owns inside. Their policy does not cover your belongings inside the home. Therefore, you must carry renters insurance to ensure that your personal belongings and valuable items are insured. Many landlords will require proof of this coverage before signing a lease, but if not, it is your responsibility to acquire your own coverage. Additionally, if you are traveling, your renters’ insurance may extend to your items that are outside of the home as well because this policy is about your belongings, not the house structure itself.

Types of Coverage

With homeowners insurance and personal property insurance, there are two different ways your items may be insured. The policy type you select will affect the cost of your monthly premiums. Your policy should expressly state the kind of coverage you’ve selected.

Replacement Cost Coverage

When selecting a replacement cost coverage policy, your personal property insurance covers the cost of replacing the item at the current price. This means that if the price of buying the item is now more expensive than the original price, or even if your current item is worn out and depreciated, your policy will cover the cost of a new one in full. This type of policy is better for you when filing a claim because you will not have to pay for any portion of replacement out of pocket, but it typically does mean you will pay a higher premium.

Actual Cash Value

If you choose an actual cash value policy, your monthly premiums may be lower, but you do run the risk of having to pay for a portion of a replacement. Actual cash value coverage accounts for depreciation which means that your insurance will pay for the covered loss at the price the item costs now. In this case, the item is covered, and you will recoup some of the cost, but if you intend to fix or replace the item, you may have to pay the difference out of pocket.

Personal Property Coverage Limits

Most personal property insurance policies have coverage limits to protect insurance companies from having to pay out high claims for high-value items. Your general policy will cover items up to a specified amount, which is usually determined by your deductible. It is essential to take a home inventory of all of your belongings to ensure that your policy limit is high enough to cover your general items. This includes electronics and appliances. It is wise to revisit your inventory periodically if you have made purchases and update your limits if necessary.

If you have more expensive or high-value items you would like to insure, your basic coverage most likely will not cover these items, and you may need to purchase additional policies.

Scheduled Personal Property Coverage

If you have items of particularly high value, then you should speak with your provider about adding a scheduled personal property endorsement to your policy. This endorsement specifically names the item being covered and the value it is appraised for. You may have to get a professional appraisal with certifications for specific items, such as artwork or jewelry, to prove their worth.

Most insurance coverage operates under a named peril policy, meaning that your items are only covered under specifically named incidents such as fire, lightning, windstorms, and more. With a scheduled endorsement, items may be covered for extended coverage, such as mold or wear and tear. Each company has different policies in place, though, so you should be thorough in researching and understanding your specific policy.

Does Your Home Insurance Cover Your Personal Property?

To answer the question of whether your home insurance includes personal property coverage, the answer is most likely yes. But it is not wise to assume your property is covered. You should be certain that your items are protected before an incident occurs. To be sure, it is best to work with experienced agents who understand insurance coverage.

At Gebhardt Insurance Group, our team knows insurance. Our experts are well-versed in insurance policies from national and local carriers and can help to find you a policy that meets all of your insurance needs. We are also available to assess your current policies. This enables us to explain your current coverage and find any gaps in your coverage that could leave you vulnerable if damage or disaster occurs.

Let us help you. Contact our team today to find out if your home insurance policy includes personal property coverage and to ensure that you are getting the best insurance quote available.

Filed Under: Home Insurance

Who Needs Ordinance or Law Coverage?

January 6, 2023 by Steve Gebhardt

ordinance or law coverage

Picture this: A storm sweeps through your area and damages your home significantly. When you file a claim with your insurance company, you find that the damage is covered, so though it is a hassle to live through repairs, it won’t hurt your wallet. But, when getting quotes from contractors, you find that your current home is not up to code and needs extensive changes to comply with local building codes. There is an increased cost of complying. Will your insurance cover the cost?

Unfortunately, if you only carry a standard homeowners insurance policy with minimum coverage, then no. The increased costs of construction to comply with building or ordinance law will have to come directly out of your own pocket. How can you avoid this unnecessary burden? By ensuring that your homeowner’s policy includes ordinance or law insurance.

But how much ordinance or law coverage should you carry? And do you need it if you have a brand new home? Here are a few of your questions answered.

How Does Ordinance or Law Coverage Work?

Every state, city, and county has building code laws in place to ensure that construction occurs in a way that is safe. Because new and innovative materials and practices are continually developing, ordinances and codes often change. Many codes require updates every three to five years, but some updates can be made as frequently as every six months. Therefore, the likelihood of your home needing code updates is relatively high.

Your dwelling coverage or property insurance typically only replaces and repairs the materials and contents of your home as is. This means that if you have an outdated system or materials, insurance only covers the cost to repair the old lower-priced system, not the increased prices of new updates.

Therefore, insurance companies offer Ordinance or Law Coverage to make up for the difference. If your home sustains a covered loss and requires code updates, then your ordinance or law coverage will cover the cost up to the percentage you carry. Most ordinance or law coverage limits are low at around 10% of your home insurance policy, but this can be increased upon request in many cases.

What is Covered Under Ordinance or Law Coverage?

If your home sustains damage and needs updates to comply with city ordinances or building laws, then your added policy will cover the added cost of the repair. This includes demolition, debris removal, repair, replacement, and reconstruction. Fortunately, this also includes undamaged parts of the home. For instance, if you have an older home with an outdated HVAC system that does not meet current standards, even if it was in an undamaged portion of the building, your insurance should pay to replace the system if it is deemed necessary for an update.

It is essential to review how much ordinance or law coverage you should insure for because in a case where your home is deemed a total loss, you could need many upgrades.

Need to Review Your Homeowners Insurance Policy?

Does your current homeowner’s insurance policy have ordinance or law coverage? Or perhaps you’ve just built a new home and don’t think you need this type of coverage? Before taking a chance, it is best to discuss your circumstances with an experienced agent so that you do not have the unnecessary burden of paying for repairs out of pocket.

At Gebhardt Insurance Group, our team of experts knows exactly what type and how much coverage you should carry for your area. Give us a call today to ensure you’re up to date and taken care of should disaster strike.

Filed Under: Home Insurance

How to Save Money with Homeowners Insurance Discounts

November 30, 2022 by Steve Gebhardt

homeowners insurance discounts

Owning a home comes with so many more responsibilities than simply paying a mortgage payment each month. There’s mortgage insurance, property taxes, homeowners insurance, repairs, upkeep, utilities, and sometimes HOA fees. The payments can add up quickly. But a wise homeowner knows that there are ways to save on these costs and will take advantage of every opportunity.

One such area where the savings can add up is with home insurance discounts. But how do you know what home insurance discounts to ask for? Here’s a breakdown of some popular types of discounts. Continue reading to learn if you qualify and find out how you can save on home insurance costs.

How Do Discounts Work?

Whether you’re looking for a new home insurance company or simply looking to save money with your current company, it’s essential to know that there are potential savings available to you. As a way to stay competitive in the market and to retain customers, many homeowners insurance companies will offer discounts on your premiums or coverage options. These discounts will vary by company and often depend on many different factors.

In typical cases, an insurance company will offer a discount in a percentage of your total premium. For instance, if you live in a gated community, you may receive a discount of 3-4% of the going rate, as opposed to friends and neighbors who do not live within a gated community, because of the added safety measure, and a lower likelihood of theft or burglary.

These offerings change quite often, therefore, it’s essential that you periodically check in with your home insurance company to ensure that you are receiving every benefit available to you. Sometimes, the company may institute a new discount, or perhaps you have upgraded a system, made repairs to an older home, or reached a milestone in customer loyalty.

It is important to note, though, that most insurance companies have a percentage cap of 30-40%. Meaning even though you may qualify for savings beyond that percentage, you can only receive discounts up to the cap amount.

Types of Discounts

There are many different types of discounts. Some may depend on your specific house and its features, some may depend on you as a homeowner, and others depend on your insurance company and the policies they have in place. Let’s take a look at some examples of each category.

Features

Your home’s features and systems may qualify you for big home insurance savings. For example, installing smart home features like a security system, fire alarm, or burglar alarm decreases the likelihood that you will have to file a claim with your insurance company, therefore, you are at lower risk to insure and thus, may earn a discount.

The sizes of these discounts can vary depending on the type of system you install. For instance, if your smoke detectors are centrally installed to alert the fire department directly when they sound, then your discount percentage may be higher than a system where the homeowner must call in case of fire.

Homeowner Profile

Some discounts are not based on your house but on you as the homeowner. Are you a military member or teacher? Your insurance company may have discounts based on these aspects of your profile as a way to say thank you. Likewise, you may be a member of a union or professional association that has a deal with your insurance company to earn you savings.

Many companies also offer senior citizen discounts to help those on a set budget. If you are over the age of 55 and do not work more than part-time hours outside of the home, you may qualify for these savings.

Policy

Some companies offer price breaks for policy-related situations. One of the most significant ways to save falls under this category with bundling discounts. In many cases, if you bundle your home and car insurance with the same company, you may see large savings.

Other policy-related savings may include loyalty discounts for remaining with your company for 10 years or more, remaining claim-free for a specific amount of time, signing up for automated payments, and more.

How to Get Discounts

Most insurance companies will initially offer you a homeowners insurance quote based on your profile features, credit score, and the specifics of your home. The questionnaire process is typically pretty thorough and asks targeted questions to ensure you receive the savings you qualify for. But, if you have been with your insurance company for an extended amount of time or if you have made notable changes to your home, it is a good idea to check in with your agent to ensure you are not missing any available discounts. To do this, you should call your company and request a discount review.

If you are unhappy with your current rates, or if you would like to see other rates available to you, our team at Gebhardt Insurance Group can help. We can answer your questions about the savings you may qualify for and help you shop for the most competitive rates in your area.

Are you ready to find home insurance discounts? Call us today.

Filed Under: Home Insurance, Insurance

How to Switch Home Insurance Providers

November 25, 2022 by Steve Gebhardt

how to switch home insurance

So you bought a house and walked through the essential steps to ensure that your home is properly insured. But it turns out you don’t like the insurance carrier or policy you purchased. Are you just stuck and out of luck? Not at all.

Many homeowners think they must wait out their policy’s term to switch home insurance companies at renewal time. But this is not the case. You can switch insurers at any time. It is important that you carry a policy with a carrier that you trust because your home and personal belongings are some of the most important things that you own. You want to ensure that they are covered and repaired or replaced properly in case something terrible happens. It’s not something you want to change with a company or policy you’re unsure about.

If you are looking to switch homeowners insurance companies, our team can help. But before doing so, it is important that you follow the right steps to make sure you do not have a lapse in coverage or dual policies. Here are a few elements to consider and information on how to change home insurance companies before making any decisions.

Reviewing

The first step you should take before finding a new policy is reviewing your old policy, especially the terms and conditions. Knowing what your current policy includes or excludes will help you determine what type of policy you are looking for. Likewise, you should familiarize yourself with your current carrier’s guidelines for cancellation fees, your effective dates, such as when the policy began and when it ends, and if you have any bundled policies that will be affected by switching.

Requirements

Does your home have a mortgage? Your mortgage lender may have certain home insurance requirements. It’s absolutely essential to make sure that any new policy you sign up for will meet these requirements, such as certain coverage limits or special coverage for additions such as earthquake or flood coverage.

In many cases, your mortgage company will have rules for the type of coverage you must carry, but they do not have requirements for who your carrier must be. Therefore, you are still able to make an insurance switch at any time, you just need to ensure there isn’t any coverage gap and notify your lender of the switch.

Timing

Though you have the right to switch insurance companies at any time, it may not be advantageous to you to switch in the middle of a policy term. It is a good idea to time your switch so that it benefits you or, at the very least, does not harm you. For instance, some insurance companies will issue a refund check for annual premiums you have already paid in advance when you cancel mid-term, but other companies may charge fees to cancel before it is time to renew. In this instance, it may be better for you to switch companies after you finish out your current contract.

In addition, some insurance companies offer discounts at certain times of the year, therefore, if you can afford to wait, it may be wise to wait until you can take advantage of an offer to save money.

Canceling

When canceling your current insurance policy, it is crucial to ensure that the end date of your current policy and the start date of your new policy is on the same day so that you do not experience a gap in coverage. Furthermore, so that you do not find yourself paying for two policies at once. To ensure this, it is best to speak with a customer service representative and have your cancellation in writing for your records with specific dates outlined.

Additionally, if you pay your insurance with an escrow account, you should call to ensure that payments will be directed to the correct insurance company on the switch date.

Shopping

Switching homeowners insurance providers is a straightforward process, but it can require many steps and a lot of time to ensure that you find the right policy for you. Taking the time to shop every insurance carrier in your area can be a hassle that you simply may not have time for. That’s where our team at Gebhardt comes in to make your life easier. Our job is to shop insurance carriers for you in order to find the best deal with the right coverage for you.

We can help with every step of the process, from reviewing your current policy, outlining the coverages you do or don’t need, and finding the best policy that meets your needs. Likewise, if you’re looking to bundle your home and auto insurance, we can help with that too. When you work with our team, we make sure that you do not miss out on coverage that you need or a deal that works for you. Call us today if you need help switching your homeowners insurance provider.

Filed Under: Home Insurance

What is Inflation Guard Coverage?

November 11, 2022 by Steve Gebhardt

inflation guard coverage

Once you purchase a home, an essential next step you must take is purchasing homeowners insurance so that your new asset is covered should something detrimental happen. Homeowners insurance coverage protects you from having to pay out of pocket if your home is damaged due to events such as extreme weather, vandalism, and fire. If you have purchased a home insurance policy, then your home and personal property will be repaired or replaced if any of these events should occur.

But did you know that sometimes, homeowners find out too late that their insurance policy does not cover the total amount of what is lost? When this happens, homeowners have to dig into their own pockets to help cover replacement costs because their policy is outdated or insufficient. Don’t let yourself fall into this category. You need inflation protection.

What is Inflation Guard on Homeowners Insurance?

In order to make sure that your homeowner’s insurance policy stays up to date. Your policy should include an inflation guard endorsement. This endorsement automatically ensures that your policy stays current with the rising costs of material and labor due to inflation.

When you select this endorsement, your coverage limits will rise according to the rate of inflation every time your policy renews. Typical inflation increases are between 4-8%. Your insurance costs will also rise, but the percentage is minuscule, typically between 2-4%.

With Inflation Guard, the total cost to repair or rebuild your home should be covered by your insurance company if you need to file a claim, even if the costs of wood, other materials, and labor have increased throughout the year.

Who Needs Inflation Guard Coverage?

In short, every homeowner needs an Inflation Guard Coverage endorsement on their homeowner’s insurance policy. Homeowners who choose not to carry this coverage may have to shoulder some of the cost to rebuild if their home is deemed to be a total loss in a calamity.

Sometimes, homeowners who do not plan to live in a home for an extended period choose to chance it and will not select Inflation Guard Coverage, but that is a risky move considering inflation changes from year to year, and a sudden increase can occur at any time. If you want to ensure that your coverage increases along with inflation increases, then Inflation Guard coverage is imperative.

Some homeowners insurance policies offer total replacement cost options, which should cover the cost of inflation increases, but it is always wise to check with your carrier to ensure that you carry this type of coverage if you choose not to carry Inflation Guard.

Inflation Guard Coverage Example

To help you understand Inflation Guard Coverage, check out the example below.

Say you carry one million dollars in dwelling coverage and inflation guard coverage at the high end of 8%. Six months into the year, your home is damaged, and you suffer a total loss. Without Inflation Guard, your insurance policy will cover one million dollars in damage, but with Inflation Guard, you will now receive an additional $40,000 in coverage to keep up with the costs of inflation during the year. Therefore, you will now have $1,040,000 to rebuild your home and replace the contents that were lost.

Need Help Finding Inflation Guard Coverage?

At Gebhardt Insurance Group, our mission is to help you ensure that your belongings are adequately insured. Our team is available to help you review your current policies, look for new policies, and compare available policies from different carriers to make sure your policies are up to date with your coverage needs.

We shop your local and national carriers to help you find the right fit and can help walk you through the process of selecting the proper coverage. Do you have more questions about Inflation Guard overage? Do you need to review and update your current policies? Are you ready to purchase new coverage? If so, we are available to answer your questions, so give us a call today.

Filed Under: Home Insurance, Insurance

Factors that Affect Homeowners Insurance Premiums

October 26, 2022 by Steve Gebhardt

factors that affect homeowners insurance premiums

Living in America, we are taught that we can do, be, and accomplish anything we put our minds to if we work hard enough. The American Dream is something we strive to achieve. And for many, accomplishing the American Dream includes homeownership. Homeownership is a great investment and a great goal to strive for. But homeownership is not as easy as buying a piece of land and constructing a home to live in for the rest of your days. Homeownership takes effort and responsibility. Homes are not cheap, and if you are going to invest your hard-earned money into a piece of real estate, you need to take the necessary steps to ensure that your property is maintained, cared for, and insured in the awful event that something terrible happens.

Obtaining home insurance is one of the most important steps you can take as a homeowner. It is one of the easiest ways to ensure peace of mind, and it is typically not expensive, considering the value of what you receive if you must file a claim. There are many factors that can affect your home insurance rates, and in many cases, you can make choices to decrease your rates where possible. Here’s a look at six factors that affect home insurance premiums.

Location

Where your home is located plays a significant factor in how much it costs to insure your home. Do you live in a zip code that has a high rate of crime? Or perhaps your geographic location has a high rate of natural disasters. In these cases, your insurance premiums may be higher than the average in order to account for the risk. But the opposite effect is also true. If you live in a quiet area with low crime and disaster rates, your insurance rates may be low. It is also typically the case that homes in rural areas see lower vandalism and theft rates than those in the city and therefore are less expensive to insure.

If you already own a home in a city or high crime area, though, you are not just out of luck. Some home insurance companies give discounts for installing home security systems and cameras. If you have not yet built or bought your home, it is wise to look up rates in different locations if you are concerned about high insurance rates.

Materials

The materials used to build your home play a role in how much your home will cost to insure. Is your home custom-built with unique features and craftsmanship, or was it a spec home built by a local home builder? The construction costs of these two types of homes vary greatly, and insurance companies will take the replacement cost of each into consideration when insuring your home.

Additionally, if you live in an older home that is outdated or worn, then the likelihood that it will need repairs is higher than if you live in a new home with new appliances, plumbing, and electrical work. On the flip side, sturdy old-school construction may prove itself to stand up to weather events better than new construction that has never been tested. Each insurance company has its own process for valuating the type of home you need to insure.

Hazards

Do you have any objects in or around your home that make insuring your property a higher risk for filing a liability claim? These contents may include swimming pools, floating docks, trampolines, treehouses, play structures, and more. Any object you have where someone could get hurt puts you and your insurance company at risk. Therefore, your insurance company may require that you pay a higher premium to counter that risk.

Sometimes, you may have to purchase an additional liability coverage policy. There is also a potential risk that your insurance company may not cover that item, such is often the case with trampolines. Therefore, you should call your insurer to confirm coverage before purchasing such items so that you know your coverage before an accident occurs.

Natural Disaster Potential

The United States covers such a vast geographical location that each state has varying likelihoods of different types of natural disasters. For instance, in Oklahoma, residents are at higher risk for tornado damage and therefore need to be concerned about coverage should a tornado occur. In Arizona, though, tornadoes are not as high of a concern as water damage during monsoon season. Additionally, you may live on or near a fault line that puts you at higher risk for earthquake damage.

Insurance companies know which areas are at high risk for each type of natural disaster and will therefore be able to inform you of your necessary coverages and the increases in cost due to risk. They also evaluate your homes distance from a fire hydrant or fire department and develop a special rating that determines the likelihood that your home can be saved quickly and salvaged in the event of a fire.

Coverage Selections

The types of coverage you wish to carry plays the most significant role in determining how much you will pay each month to carry homeowners insurance. Do you have a large home with luxurious features and valuable personal property? If so, you will probably want a higher amount of personal property coverage than a neighbor whose house is filled with thrifted finds.

Additionally, if you have valuable family heirloom pieces such as artwork or jewelry, you may wish to add additional floaters or endorsements to your policy to ensure that these items will be replaced in full if they should be stolen or damaged in your home.

Do you work from home? You may have electronics and business property that require extra insurance coverage as well. Your personal property is covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy, but only up to the policy limit. Therefore, if you have expensive business equipment for work or if you run an at-home business, you may need to speak with your employer about their coverage policies if they own the equipment, or you may need to purchase extra coverage to ensure that the important equipment is covered.

Claim History

Last on our list for today, but certainly not least, is the likelihood that you will file a claim. One aspect that heavily affects this factor is your claim history. Has an insurance company had to pay out a large claim for you in the past already? If so, you could be considered a claim risk. Similarly, do you have a rough credit history when it comes to paying your premiums for insurance? In that case, you may need to search for an insurance company that has special scenarios for people who are high-risk clients.

Finding the Best Homeowners Insurance Rate in Arizona

Are you an Arizonan looking for the best homeowners insurance rate for your home? Our team at Gebhardt Insurance Group would love to help you find the right policy and coverage for your specific needs. We understand that it can be daunting to search through all the options available in Arizona. We also know that many companies are not straightforward with their prices and costs, which can be frustrating.

We are here to help you navigate the options and find the best choice. Our job is to shop around through over 40 local and national carriers until we find a deal that best suits you. Let us help you today by giving us a call.

Filed Under: Home Insurance

Home Insurance Guide in Arizona

September 13, 2022 by Steve Gebhardt

home insurance guide in arizona

Your house is one of the most important things you own. Not only because it is likely the most expensive thing you own, but because it is where you lay your head at night. It is your safety and place of refuge. Therefore it is of the utmost importance that you ensure it properly against perils. In some cases, weather events, break-ins, accidental damage, and other circumstances may leave you feeling vulnerable or frustrated if you have to pay for repairs on your own. When you carry home insurance against these types of events, you can rest easy. Knowing that your assets are taken care of in the event something terrible happens gives you peace of mind that is worth every penny spent.

As an Arizona homeowner, you have a plethora of options to choose from when selecting coverage options and insurance companies. It can take time to research your options and understand the different coverages that are available. To help you make the right choice, we’ve provided an essential guide to Arizona home insurance to get you started.

The first task is understanding the types of home insurance coverage you can carry.

Coverage Options

As a homeowner, you can decide which items you would like to insure, what you would like to insure them against, and how much you would like to insure them for. In most cases, you have the option to insure your home, the items in your home, and the people in your home. You also must decide which types of events you’d like to insure against, including but not limited to natural disasters, theft and burglary, accidents, and other damages.

Hazard Insurance Coverage

Hazard insurance is also called dwelling coverage. It insures the parts of your house that make it a house or dwelling. This includes the dwelling structures, such as the roof, flooring, and walls. It also includes attached structures such as decks, porches, and garages. In most cases, dwelling coverage also includes built-in systems that are permanently attached to the home, such as air conditioning and heating units.

Household appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers are not covered under dwelling coverage. Likewise, unattached structures such as sheds, fences, and unattached guest quarters are not included under dwelling coverage, but these components may be covered under separate insurance policies.

Personal Property Coverage

Personal property coverage insures the items inside your home that are not part of the structure or built-in. This includes all of your personal belongings, such as furniture, appliances, electronics, and other household items. In most cases, you select the amount of coverage you’d like in a dollar amount, which determines your personal property home insurance rate.

If there are specific expensive or important items you’d like to insure, such as jewelry, family heirlooms, or artwork, you will likely need to purchase a separate policy for these, as high-dollar items are not typically covered under basic personal property coverage.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage insures people who may be accidentally injured on your property. It also protects you and your family against being held liable for damages. For instance, if a friend or neighbor gets hurt on your property, your liability may assist in paying their medical bills. This friend or neighbor could also potentially sue you for damages. Therefore, when you carry liability coverage, your assets are protected in a lawsuit. Liability insurance also insures against accidental property damage that you or your children might commit against a neighbor’s property. Depending on your policy, liability coverage may also cover damage caused by your pets in your home and in the home of another.

Common Claim Types

Luckily, Arizona does not have a wide variety of natural disaster events in the state. But even though the options are not various, the few options that are likely can be quite disastrous. Due to the southern location and warm climate, cold and snow-related disasters are mostly non-existent. But in an interesting juxtaposition, Arizona is subject to disasters brought on by the dry, hot climate and also the sudden rainy season. Therefore, Arizona residents need to be prepared to insure their property against fire and water alike.

Understanding the different claim types that are common among Arizonans can help you choose the right coverage needed to protect your home. Keep in mind that the large size and diverse topography in Arizona mean that many of these scenarios are dependent upon your zip code. Therefore it is best to speak with a representative about your exact location before ruling out any type of coverage.

Wildfire Damage

In the past, wildfires were not especially prevalent in Arizona. Unfortunately, environmental changes have brought wildfires to Arizona in more significant numbers and with higher frequency. This is due to historical temperatures, extended droughts, humidity decreases, and dry Arizona vegetation. Therefore, Arizona homeowners need to be aware of the potential and carry the proper amount of insurance to recover any assets that could be lost in a breakout fire.

Fortunately, fire damage is typically covered under basic home insurance coverage, whether due to wildfire, lightning strike, or accidental damage. Though not all fire scenarios are covered, such as intentional fires and fire brought on by acts of war. It’s essential to know your policy and ensure you have extra coverage if you are concerned about the risk of uncovered scenarios.

Earthquake

Did you know that Arizona sits on around 100 fault lines, according to the Arizona Geological Survey? So even though large or catastrophic earthquakes are not common in Arizona, they are not impossible. And even more possible are small-scale earthquakes or tremors. These do not tend to do incredible damage but can shake a home and damage the foundation, weaken walls or pipes, or break interior property that falls during a shudder.

Earthquake damage is not covered under most home insurance properties. Therefore, if you would like to protect your home and belongings against damage caused by an earthquake, you must purchase a separate insurance policy.

Flood

Those who do not live in Arizona associate Arizona with dry deserts and blooming cacti. Therefore new transplants are often surprised to find that many places in Arizona suffer from yearly rains that bring on floods. Monsoon season can be quite dangerous to you and your property because it is unpredictable and uncontrollable. Just because you have not suffered from monsoon damage in the past does not mean you will not incur damage in the future. Therefore, insuring your home against flood waters is extremely important. Even in dry Arizona.

Water damage from busted pipes or water backup in toilets may be covered under your insurance policy, depending on the source of the water or damage, but flood insurance is not included in standard homeowners insurance. It is backed by the National Flood Insurance Program. Therefore it is incredibly vital that you speak with an agent about the type of coverage you need against flooding.

What is not Covered with Home Insurance?

A standard home insurance policy covers most damage that occurs to your home and property. Covered perils include fire, lightning, and hail damage, as well as theft, vandalism, burglary, and explosion damage.

Claims not covered under standard home insurance policies are those due to earthquakes or floods. If your Arizona home is in a flood plain or is near a fault line, speak to an agent about adding additional policies to your insurance to ensure that your belongings are covered if these events should occur.

Tips for Buying Homeowners Insurance in Arizona

When searching for homeowners insurance in the Grand Canyon State, it’s important to make sure you are getting the best deal. There are often discounts for installing a home security system, sprinkler system, having a good credit score, or for bundling multiple policies with the same company.

It is essential to gather as many insurance quotes as possible to compare quotes based on your specific needs. Don’t just purchase a policy with the first company that shows up on an internet search; they may not be offering the best deal for you.

It is also vital for you to ensure that you are carrying the proper coverage. For instance, finding a policy that offers replacement cost coverage versus actual cash value will ensure that you can totally replace the items you lose when filing a claim rather than receiving a portion of what that item is now worth due to depreciation.

Our best tip for purchasing home insurance is using an agent to find the best plan. An agent who is familiar with your area will know the proper coverage you need based on your zip code and will also know the best deals offered by the best companies.

Buying Home Insurance Through Gebhardt

We know that finding home insurance can be overwhelming. We also know that finding an agent you can trust is also an overwhelming task because you want to make sure that you are not being taken advantage of or sold a sub-par product.

When you work with our customer service team at Gebhardt to secure home insurance as an Arizona resident, you are in good hands. We do not sell you overpriced insurance to pad our own pockets. Our job is to search local and national insurance companies to find the best deal for you.

At Gebhardt, we have the inside information on average rates for your zip code with over 40 top insurance carriers, including State Farm, Progressive, and more. Let us do the research for you and present you with the best options for your needs. Additionally, we are available to explain the differences between plans and different types of coverage options and answer any questions you may have about home insurance for Arizona residents.

Ensure that you are insured and work with a member of our team today.

Filed Under: Home Insurance

How Much Home Insurance Do I Need?

April 14, 2021 by Steve Gebhardt

How Much Home Insurance Do I Need

Are you shopping for home insurance? Most homeowners understand the need for carrying home insurance and don’t debate its necessity. But many questions surround the topic, including:

  • What exactly is homeowners insurance? 
  • What is covered? 
  • Is it required? 
  • What amount of coverage should I carry? 
  • Does my current policy cover my needs?

Below we have answered and explained a few of these questions to help you understand home insurance and how much home insurance you need.

What is home insurance?

Home insurance is a type of property insurance that covers losses, damages, and repairs to a residence and personal property. Standard homeowners insurance will pay for the repair or replacement of your home in case of events like fire, tornado, hail, lightning, vandalism, explosion, even volcanic activity in certain areas.

What is covered under home insurance?

Rebuilding Structures

Homeowners insurance covers the costs of rebuilding a home structure in the event of damage or disaster. This dwelling protection includes damage to a main house and other attached structures such as a garage. Most policies also have the option of covering structures that are not connected, such as sheds, fences, guest houses, mother-in-law quarters, and others of the like.

This rebuild coverage includes every aspect of replacing the damaged home. Therefore, in addition to the structure and interior and exterior walls and finishes, utility systems are covered. These utilities include plumbing, electrical wiring, heating and cooling, etc.

Replacing Personal Belongings

More than just replacing the home itself, home insurance includes personal property coverage. In catastrophe or damage, the items inside your home will also be replaced, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, and other possessions. You will either be paid the actual cash value or the replacement cost of the property destroyed, depending on your policy.

The actual cash value is the amount you would receive if you sold the item today, less the depreciation of your property. Replacement cost coverage is the amount it would cost you to buy or acquire a new replacement, making it more expensive than actual cash value coverage.

Living Arrangements

If your home is damaged, and you need to seek shelter elsewhere while your house is being repaired, your home insurance policy will cover your additional living expenses. This is referred to as “loss of use” coverage in a home insurance policy.

Your policy will reimburse you for the cost of a hotel or rental stay, the cost of meals or groceries, and additional living expenses up to a certain amount. Typically, most insurance companies calculate this amount by paying 20% coverage for loss of use. For example, if your home insurance coverage is $100,000, your loss of use coverage is approximately $20,000.

Liability Protection

Further, a home insurance policy will give you personal liability insurance coverage. The typical amounts are between $100,000 to $300,000. This is enough to cover medical expenses from an injury sustained by any individual who was injured within your residence or property.

This coverage also extends to any legal costs you may incur in the case of lawsuits. This is an often overlooked aspect of a home insurance policy. Still, it is beneficial because being involved in a lawsuit can be very costly, and an insurance policy can ease the burden.

What is not covered under home insurance?

Damage from some specific natural disasters is not included in typical home insurance policies. For instance, damage caused by earthquakes requires a separate special policy. Those living in common earthquake zones should purchase this additional policy.

Flooding is also not covered by basic home insurance. If you live in a flood plain, you must purchase a separate flood insurance policy from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program.

Is home insurance required?

There aren’t any state or federal laws that require homeowners to purchase home insurance. If you seek a loan from a mortgage company, though, most will have a requirement that you carry adequate insurance coverage. Companies that do not require home insurance coverage typically have very high premiums to offset the risk.

How much home insurance coverage should I carry?

To quickly estimate the amount of insurance you need to carry: multiply the total square footage of your home by local square footage building costs. This will give you a basic estimate of the minimum cost you should carry.

This estimate does not give an accurate number of the total cost you should carry because it does not consider personal property, loss of use, or liability coverage.

It is important to note that most home insurance companies will only provide full coverage if the owner has purchased coverage equal to a certain percentage of the home’s total replacement value. This percentage is typically 80%.

For example, if the total replacement of your damaged home costs $200,000, the dwelling coverage limit of your policy must be at least $160,000 to receive full payment.

To avoid this issue, many insurance companies offer extended replacement cost or guaranteed replacement cost options where applicable. These options mean you will receive 20% extra of your insurance coverage limit. Or your entire cost of replacing the home will be covered even if the policy limit is surpassed.

Others with significant investments or holdings may also purchase an umbrella insurance policy to cover claims in excess of a home insurance policy. Of course, you will have to pay extra premium costs for these types of policies.

Additional Cost Considerations

Knowing the true value of your home ensures that you buy the correct amount of insurance. Do you have upgrades such as custom woodwork, stone fireplaces, additional garages, sheds, or other special features? Make sure to buy additional coverage if you want these items to be covered too.

The age of your home and where your home is located may affect the amount you will pay for your insurance. If you happen to live in an area prone to severe weather, rates may be higher, or you may need to purchase additional policies.

Experts also suggest that you should know how quickly your selected insurance company will pay on your claims. Indeed, you would not want to wait for months before getting the amount needed to repair and replace lost property.

Does your policy have you covered?

For many people, owning a home is the most significant investment decision they will make in their lifetime. It can be a devastating and costly decision not to ensure that the home investment is adequately insured in case of disaster.

Recent studies reveal that a large portion of U.S. homeowners does not have sufficient insurance for their homes. This can be due to purchasing lower policies or perhaps not updating an old policy when the home value or changes are made. If you have a current policy, it is good to speak with an agent to ensure that you have the correct amount of coverage.

The peace of mind that home insurance coverage gives is worth every penny. If you are searching for a new policy or would like to update or replace your current policy, call us at the Gebhardt Insurance Group to speak with an insurance agent today.

Filed Under: Home Insurance, Insurance

The Factors That Determine Homeowners Insurance Cost

January 20, 2021 by Steve Gebhardt

Homeowners Insurance Cost

For some, home insurance can be a sore subject, especially if you have had a negative insurance experience in the past. However, insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. Understanding what determines insurance premiums can help you make more informed and confident decisions concerning insurance policies.

So, how much does home insurance cost? The average cost of homeowners insurance in Arizona is $132 per month or $1,589 annually. Your cost may look different depending on factors such as square footage, the cost of your home, risks on your property, how old your home is, your desired coverage, and more.

Depending on your insurance carrier, you may even be able to bundle your home and auto policies, which could lead to savings. So, what factors determine homeowners insurance rates?

Location of Your Home

If you live in a state that is prone to natural disasters, your location is bound to affect your homeowners insurance cost. This is especially true if you live near a body of water. Being close to lakes, oceans, and rivers, to name a few, puts your home at risk for flooding.

It’s important to note that flood damage is not covered by homeowners insurance. You will need a separate policy that covers flood damage to your property if you live on the coast or close to any body of water. Earthquake damage is also not covered on a standard homeowners policy.

One factor that may positively impact your home insurance rate is if your home is near a fire station. Another positive determinant is how close your home is to a fire hydrant.

Age, Condition, and Construction of Your Home

Unfortunately, older homes can cost more to repair or replace if they are damaged. The materials used in older homes can be more challenging to find if a replacement is needed and be more costly too. Sometimes, old houses even require specialists for repairs, which costs your insurance company more.

Consider the state of your home when shopping around for homeowners insurance. If insurance costs are a concern, aluminum wiring, a leaky roof, or old plumbing can cause steeper home insurance costs.

Property Risks

While you may dream of building a swimming pool in your backyard, if you’re unprepared to pay more for home insurance, your dream may feel more like a nuisance once it comes to life. Pools, hot tubs, trampolines, tree houses, and wood-burning stoves are all property risks that factor in when determining your final homeowners insurance rate.

If you add any of these onto your property over time, make sure you notify your insurer. Keeping your insurer up to date on these additions will allow you to rest assured that you are covered in the event of an accident.

Having safety precautions in place may mitigate some costs. Such precautions can include:

  • A net around your trampoline.
  • A fire extinguisher in your home.
  • A secure pool fence.

Dogs You Own

Many pet owners have special and loving bonds with their furry friends. However, dogs can impact your home insurance rate. Each year, around five million people report being bitten by a dog. 

Your dog may be on its best behavior for you, but there is still a risk. While home insurance covers dog bites, it may impact your rate.

If you have a canine friend at home, insurers will look at your dog’s history. This history can include aggression and if they have bitten you or others before. They will also look at their breed. Some aggressive breeds such as Rottweilers, pit bulls, german shepherds, chow chows, great danes, and siberian huskies are considered more of a risk than others.

Businesses Based Out of Your Home

Some business owners choose to make their home their place of business as well. For example, a hairstylist may decide to turn their garage into a salon studio. If you have a home-based business, inform your insurer so they can help you take steps to protect your equipment, your investment, and even yourself. You may need additional personal property coverage or even business insurance.

Your Credit Score

The dreaded credit score – it will never stop following you around. Thankfully, insurance companies have their own formulas to determine your insurance credit score. However, if you have a low credit score, it is still likely to factor into your final rates.

Your current debt, types of credit you have, your debt payment history, if you have filed for bankruptcy, and more all factor into this formula. If you have a concern about your insurance credit score, talk to one of our agents today.

Your Claims History

Just like your credit score, your claims history follows you around as well. Insurance is there for a reason and is meant to be used if needed! However, if you have made insurance claims before, you are more likely to make claims again in the future, and insurers view that as a risk.

Homeowner’s Marital Status

Usually, married couples file fewer claims than single people. Insurers tend to view married couples as more responsible and less likely to take risks. In the case of homeowners insurance coverages, your relationship status may have an impact.

The Deductible 

One way to save money on your homeowners insurance monthly is to choose a rate with a higher deductible. This option may result in a cheaper monthly rate. However, if you need to file a claim and you can not afford your deductible, you will not be in a better spot in the long run.

Consider if you can realistically afford a higher deductible before choosing a policy with such. For some, a $1,000 deductible may be attainable, but this may be a significant burden for others.

The Coverage Amount

Some people like to have as much coverage as possible in order to be “fully prepared”. But keep in mind that the more coverage you want, the higher the cost will be. You may be able to increase your maximums if you feel that a standard policy’s maximums are too low to cover:

  • Your belongings. 
  • The repair of your home in the event of an accident.
  • A place to stay while your home is repaired. 
  • A lawsuit due to an incident that occurred on your property,  

Keep in mind that this will cost more than a standard policy. However, if it gives you peace of mind and confidence that you are prepared for the worst, increasing your coverage may be a great option.

Why Choose Gebhardt Insurance Agency?

The best part about utilizing an independent insurance agency like ours is that we can shop around many homeowners insurance companies for a policy that best suits your unique needs and price point. Even better, we can shop for car insurance with multiple carriers and may even find you a home and auto bundle that saves you money.

There’s no better homeowners insurance calculator than our agents at Gebhardt. Not only will we do the legwork for you, but we can accurately consider discounts for which you may be eligible. This level of accuracy is something that many online calculators cannot provide. For more information on our home insurance products and services, contact our agents today and get a free quote!

Filed Under: Home Insurance, Insurance

The Different Types of Business Insurance

October 19, 2020 by Steve Gebhardt

Types of Business Insurance

Insurance is necessary for businesses, big and small. However, the types of insurance your business may need will depend on different factors such as the type of industry your company is in, risk of employee injury, federal, state and local laws, where your business operates and more.

Business insurance policies can protect your company, your employees and yourself in the event of injury, property damage, theft, fire and liability claims. While it’s an additional investment in your company, it’s one worth making.

What is Business Insurance?

Business insurance is intended for companies rather than individuals. Depending on the type of business insurance you purchase, it can even protect your company from lawsuits. Small businesses usually are more exposed to financial losses and even business closures. Business insurance can protect against this and help you keep your company up and running, even in the darkest of times.

Our agents can evaluate your risks and help you pick which types of business insurance you need while keeping your budget in mind. If you cannot cover out-of-pocket costs in the event of a disaster or lawsuit, talk to one of our agents today.

Types of Business Insurance

Commercial Property Insurance

Damage can happen to any business. Whether you sustain damage to your office, your company vehicles or any other type of company property, property insurance can cover the cost of repair or replacement. The damage may be caused by man or through natural events.

It’s important to note that damage due to flooding and earthquakes is usually not covered with this type of policy. Vandalism, lightning damage and fire are typical coverages with a commercial property policy.

Your physical assets may be included in this type of policy as well. Make sure you provide your insurance agent with an inventory of company assets. This may include computers, machinery, furniture and more.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ Compensation insurance (also known as workers’ comp) protects your employees that are injured on the job. It will cover their medical expenses pertaining to the injury and may also cover their lost wages while they recover.

Workers that fall ill due to occupational hazards may also be covered under this type of insurance. Most states require companies to carry workers’ compensation insurance by law.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Any company that has company cars or vehicles needs commercial auto insurance. Whether you use trucks for landscaping or allow employees to use company cars to take clients to lunch, every business owner needs the proper coverage in place.

Professional Liability Insurance

If your company is sued for negligence, having a professional liability policy in place can help. Also known as Errors and Omissions insurance, if a client thinks you made a mistake regarding your professional services and they were harmed in any way, they may sue you for damages.

Business Interruption Insurance

Businesses that are forced to close for short periods of time can have difficulty keeping the company afloat. This type of policy, also known as business income insurance, can cover your financial losses by replacing lost income and help you continue to pay for your office space, employee salaries, etc.

Data Breach Insurance

If your company stores any private personal data or financial data, data breach insurance is crucial for your protection. Unfortunately, hacking is common and if you are hacked, your company’s private data may be stolen as well as confidential client data. This type of insurance will cover the damages due to a data breach.

General Liability Insurance

As far as business insurance coverage goes, this one is part of the first line of defense. In the event of a lawsuit, general liability coverage can cover the cost of an attorney. It acts to protect your business in the event of liability claims due to bodily injury, personal injury and property damage caused by your business.

Home-based Business Insurance

If you run your business out of your home, this type of policy may protect you. Homeowners insurance policies do not cover businesses run out of your home. If your office equipment is stolen or damaged, a home-based business insurance policy can cover your items.

Directors and Officers Insurance

If your company has a director or officer and they act inappropriately towards customers or employees or conduct business unethically, a scandal may be on your hands as well as a lawsuit. This type of policy will pay for legal costs and pay for the financial aftermath.

Life Insurance

A business can purchase life insurance for any employee that is considered essential to the company’s operation. For small businesses or family owned companies, this can be crucial to have if the person in charge passes away.

Product Liability Insurance

Does your business sell a product? If so, product liability insurance may be an asset for your company. If your product or service injures a customer, this type of policy will cover legal and medical fees. Additionally, if your product is defective and a class action lawsuit occurs, it’s smart to have insurance so you will be protected financially. Otherwise, your business may collapse.

What Type Do I Need?

There are four main types of business insurance that almost every company needs: workers compensation, property, commercial auto and liability insurance. It all depends on your business size, location, potential risks and revenue.

If your company has company vehicles, it is an absolute must to have commercial auto insurance. This will give your company and vehicles protection in the event of an accident.

Unless your business is private and located in Texas or Oklahoma, you will be required to have workers’ compensation insurance. These requirements vary by state. To make the process simpler, work with an insurance agency to navigate these requirements correctly.

How We Can Help

At Gebhardt Insurance Group, we have extensive experience insuring businesses just like yours. Whether you need small business insurance or have a large company, we can help you assess your risks and get you covered so you’re prepared in case disaster strikes.

Our insurance company will work tirelessly to help protect your business. Need help determining what type of business insurance you need or interested in additional coverages? Give us a call at 520-836-3244.

Filed Under: Business Insurance, Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Insurance, Liability Insurance, Life Insurance

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