Getting the best home insurance isn’t always easy. But with some simple facts in mind, it can become much easier to find the best insurance. First and foremost, when shopping for home insurance you must have enough coverage to cover the total cost of repairing your house or building it from scratch in the event that you suffer total destruction of the property. The cost to rebuild it at comparable quality or repair the property completely at current market prices is the total replacement price. Figuring out just how much to insure your home at current market prices for the total rebuilding cost can be quite a challenge, but is doable if you make a thorough list of all building materials used in your house and home renovation plans. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on current home values, which will fluctuate and factor that into your total estimate as well.
You should also consider the dwelling coverage limit of your best home insurance. This maximum coverage limit pertains to the total amount of cash you are protected for in the event you suffer damages to the home, such as water damage. Often times, these limits will be higher than the total dwelling coverage limit you purchased when you purchased your homeowner’s policy, especially if your building has some unique construction features or designations. Be sure to discuss your dwelling coverage limit with your agent when shopping around for homeowner’s insurance.
It’s also important to talk with the agent you are considering about your belongings. This applies not only to your belongings but to other items you may store in your garage or on your property. For instance, did you know that it is illegal to leave your recreational vehicles outside your house without locking them up? Many people don’t realize this, and it can result in huge bills should a natural disaster or fire break out and damage your garage, boat, or other belongings. As you shop around for the best homeowners insurance companies, don’t forget to ask about the policy regarding damaged belongings.
One of the biggest complaints people have with home-insurance companies is poor customer service. There are many things that can affect a customer’s experience with a company, but the customer service should not be one of them. When you are shopping around for the best homeowners insurance companies, don’t just look at the average cost of the policy. Paying close attention to the ways the company handles your questions and concerns could mean the difference between saving hundreds of dollars and paying hundreds in the event of a claim.
The top five companies in the industry who consistently rank in the top five for customer service are Aetna, GEICO, Humana, Liberty Mutual, and Progressive. These companies offer great coverage at affordable premiums, and you can save even more money on your auto-owners’ coverage if you increase your deductible. Not only will a higher deductible keep premium costs down, but it also means that you won’t pay as much for the actual payout should you need to file a claim, which is what most consumers are looking for.
While it may seem like common sense, you will find that the best homeowners insurance companies often offer discounts and special incentives to policyholders who will work with them. This can include additional discounts for policyholders who will use their websites, call an agent, or fill out an online form. In addition, the best home insurance companies often offer their clients rebates and other discounts for policyholders who will work with their agents, use their website or take an online survey. These types of incentives and rewards may seem small, but when you consider how much money you could potentially save over the long run, they really add up.