It Pays to Plan Ahead
Homeowners Insurance
Your home is likely your largest and most valuable asset, which is why it is especially important to safeguard your investment against loss.
Required by most lenders as a condition of closing on a mortgage, homeowner’s insurance typically:
- Covers structural damage caused by fire, smoke, theft and vandalism.
- Pays for the cost to replace personal items affected by theft, fire or other covered events.
- Reimburses you for living expenses if you must temporarily relocate due to one of the events listed above.
- Provides liability coverage and medical payment protection if a visitor is injured at your home and decides to sue you.
It is important to note that valuables such as collectible art, antiques or jewelry won’t likely be covered by a standard homeowner’s policy. However, you may be able to purchase special endorsements (or riders) to cover these types of items.
Renters Insurance
Unfortunately, many renters don’t discover that their personal property is not protected by their landlord’s policy until it’s too late. How much would it cost to replace your stereo, computer or jewelry in case of fire or theft? Probably a lot more than it would cost to pay for renters insurance.
Renters insurance protects your personal belongings against losses due to:
- Forced-entry theft
- Fire
- Smoke
- Vandalism
- Windstorms
- Lightning
- Earthquakes (optional and available in California only)
While renters insurance isn’t required by law, your landlord may have a renters insurance requirement built into your lease, so be sure to clarify this point before you sign on the dotted line. Your renter’s insurance policy often covers your personal property from in your car, too.
Gain Peace of Mind
After a disaster such as a break in or fire, the last thing you’ll need is yet another financial or emotional burden. Whether you own or rent your dwelling, having insurance can offer you the sense of security that comes with knowing the contents of your home are protected in the event of a covered loss. Review your homeowner’s insurance or renters insurance policy annually. During your annual review, you may also want to do some comparison shopping. By comparing other insurance companies, you may find better pricing or benefits available. You should also review your policy when you make a major purchase, begin a home improvement project (if you are a homeowner) or make a significant change to your lifestyle.
words you should know
Insurance companies use a lot of words you might not understand. Here is a quick activity to teach you the basics.
Adjuster
An individual who evaluates losses and settles claims.
Depreciation
When reimbursing a policy holder for property loss, insurance companies determine how much the covered property has decreased in value over a certain period of time.
Riders or Floater endorsements
Typically purchased to cover jewelry, furs and other items for which the full value is not covered in a standard homeowner’s or renter’s policy. (This is sometimes referred to as scheduled personal property.)
Loss of income
If a landlord’s property becomes uninhabitable as a result of a covered loss, this insurance would replace rental income that would have been generated by the property
Personal property
Refers to a policy holder’s belongings, such as household goods, furniture, clothing and electronics.
Replacement cost vs. actual cash value
Refers to the reimbursement a policy holder receives. Replacement costs reimburses the cost to replace the item today, while actual cash value reimburses the replacement cost minus depreciation.
The information contained herein is being provided as-is and without representation or warranty. The enclosed information is not intended as legal, tax or financial planning advice. Any discussion of tax or accounting matters herein (including any attachments) should not and may not be relied on by any recipient or reader. The recipient/reader should consult their tax adviser, legal consultant and/or accountant for a statement of tax and accounting rules applicable to thier particular situation and for all other tax and accounting advice.
