How do you know if your home is underinsured? In this blog post, we touch on some common signs that may indicate a need for increased Home Insurance coverage. Whether you just bought your first home or you’ve been a homeowner for years, keep reading to learn more!
How to Determine if Your Home is Underinsured
One of the most obvious signs that a home may be underinsured is if current coverage couldn’t cover the cost to rebuild if it was severely damaged. For example, if there was a major storm or fire. This is a major indication that you may need to review your policy and talk to an insurance agent to determine the best plan for your situation.
There are other less obvious signs to keep in mind. For example, if a home has outdated features, it may not be worth as much as a newer home. This means that a homeowners insurance policy may not cover as much in the event of a claim. Additionally, consider increasing your coverage if you have expensive belongings to ensure they’re protected in case of damage or theft.
What Type of Coverage is Available?
The first step is to understand the different types of coverage available. There are a few types of coverage that homeowners should become familiar with: Cash Value coverage and Replacement Cost coverage.
Cash Value coverage is based on a home’s current condition and provides reimbursements for its monetary worth. Depreciation can happen over time, especially pertaining to older homes. It’s important to consider whether or not a home can be fully rebuilt based on today’s cost estimate, instead of the initial price when it was originally built.
Replacement Cost coverage is another type of coverage that homeowners can purchase. This type of coverage will provide a reimbursement for the cost of rebuilding a home using the same type of materials. This policy could require enough coverage to restore a home to new, so it’s important to consider how much it would actually cost, as opposed to covering market value. For example, the price of a home today may not be at the same rate as the rebuild.
Currently, there are issues surrounding the pandemic that may have led to the adjustment or change in the costs of goods and services across Oklahoma. Consider taking some time with your insurance agent to review your insurance policies to discuss if your coverage may be impacted. They can help you assess your home’s value and ensure you have the proper coverage.
If you have any other questions about insurance, connect with us today. We are happy to help you find the coverage that best meets your home, auto, commercial and life insurance needs.
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