The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Home Insurance By Cliff Berman At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

There's a lot to figure out when the time comes to go shopping around for a home insurance policy...or file an insurance claim...or do just about anything else that's going to force you to wade through the massive realm of legal-ese, insurance-ese and just plain confusing English that makes up your home insurance! Here's a look at the top five most frequently asked questions about home insurance, and how you can make that information work for you.

How do I get cheap home insurance?

You can tell we're living in a tough economy, because lately it seems like this is the number one question on everyone's lips. It would take months to go through all the ways you can minimize your insurance rates, but the bottom line is that it's all about minimizing risk. If you can minimize the chances that your home is going to be severely damaged as the result of a storm or other "act of God", make sure you're ready for any kitchen or bathroom fires that pop up along the way and install a good security system that will let you know if someone is trying to come in and rob you blind you're going to be in great shape to get the lowest rates possible on your coverage.

How much home insurance do I need to buy?

This is a tricky one. A good guideline is to ask your home insurance agent to issue you a policy for the replacement cost of your home and possessions (i.e. the cost of buying comparable items today rather than what you paid for them ten or fifteen years ago). That way if disaster does strike you're not left scrambling for extra cash. $100,000 to $300,000 in personal liability on top of your replacement costs is the industry norm, but you can always ask for more if you feel you can afford it.

A quick tip: Don't just look at the price on your appraisal and call it a day. The price on your appraisal also covers the cost of your land, and there's very little chance that you'll have to rebuild your land after a storm. (Crop insurance is another deal entirely.) When you leave the cost of your land out of the picture you'll find that the cost of your premiums dips significantly.

How much are my deductibles?

The amount of your deductible is going to vary from company to company. What's important is to make sure you never have a higher deductible than you can afford to pay. Higher deductibles=lower home insurance rates, but you don't want to find yourself completely out of luck if you have to come up with that money after Murphy's law strikes again.

Does my home insurance cover my child if they go off to college?

Normally yes, your home insurance policy will extend to your child's dorm room (and their bike), but your insurance agent needs to know what's going to be college bound. College campuses are prime places for theft, and you want to make sure you're prepared.

Does my home insurance cover items in my car?

Much like a dorm, a car is considered a temporary resting spot rather than a full blown relocation. That means your insurance will usually cover items in your car if they're stolen, including your car stereo, as long as you let them know you want it insured.

How often should I update my home insurance policy?

Most experts recommend updating your home insurance policy with every renewal and each time you buy an item you need to insure. That way you're never stuck in the awkward position of trying to file an insurance claim for an item your insurance company knows absolutely nothing about.

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