Homeowners Terms

For many of us our home is our most valuable possession. The time to think about the unthinkable disaster is before it happens to you. If your home were damaged or destroyed, insurance can help you repair or rebuild your home and replace damaged possessions.

The main purpose of insurance is to protect you against losses you cannot afford. Few people have the financial resources to rebuild their homes. In addition to protecting your home and possessions, homeowners insurance also provides liability coverage to protect you from financial ruin if someone is injured on your property and sues for damages.

A homeowners insurance policy consists of coverage for your dwelling and your personal property. It also includes liability insurance which pays for injuries to other people or damages to their property accidentally caused by you, your family or your pets. You also can buy several types of additional insurance for property that is not listed in your homeowners policy or for perils not covered ? such as flood ? for which you need a separate policy. You do this by either buying a separate policy or by adding an endorsement or rider to your policy.

Tips for Keeping Your Rates Low

There are some simple steps you can take to reduce your homeowner's premiums.

  • Raise Your Deductible - A deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance starts to pay for your loss. Since the purpose of insurance is to pay for the losses you cannot afford, raise your deductible to a limit that you could handle in case of a loss.

  • New Home - If your home is less than 10 years old, you may be eligible for a new home discount.

  • Make Your Home Safer - You may be eligible for a discount if you have a burglar and fire alarms systems and/or sprinkler systems. Monitored systems will earn a bigger discount than unmonitored systems.

  • Construction Material - When you buy a home, look for fire-resistant construction, such as brick, masonry or rock. You may pay a lower premium for hail-resistant roofs, such as those made of concrete tile, while wood roofs may bring a surcharge. Check the location of the nearest fire department, and avoid buying in floodprone areas.

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General Terms
Actual Cash Value - In many states, this means that in the event of a covered loss, you'll be paid the current replacement cost of whatever you lost, minus depreciation. (This generally includes the estimated wear and tear on the item damaged or the loss in value of that item because of aging and use). The total amount you'd be paid would be subject to the terms of your particular policy, including applicable deductible and coverage limits.

Assessment -A charge, tax or fine against all individual condo owners by the association.

Association - The management body of the condominium owners collectively.

Deductible - The portion of a covered loss that you agree to pay before the insurance company becomes responsible for payment under the policy. A larger deductible usually means a lower premium. For example, if the covered claim is $1,000 and your deductible is $250, you pay $250 and your insurance company will pay $750.

Liability Protection - This typically provides coverage if you, as an insured person, are legally obligated to pay damages due to bodily injury of others or for damage to their property arising out of a covered loss. For example, you're playing catch with your friends, you throw the ball and it inadvertently crashes through your neighbors' window and breaks something. The property damage you accidentally caused may be covered here.

Additional Living Expenses Coverage - We'll pay the reasonable increase in living expenses necessary to maintain your normal standard of living when a direct physical loss we cover makes your residence premises uninhabitable for up to the amount of time specified in the policy. This may include payments for the additional costs of a place to stay, food and other increased living expenses.

Dwelling Protection - The building structure defined on your Policy Declarations, where the named insured resides and is principally used as your private residence. Protection for your home from many perils (Exceptions: Renters and Condominium Policy)

Family Liability Protection - Provides protection for insured persons who become legally obligated to pay for covered accidental bodily injury or property damage to others. This protection does not cover auto liability claims.

Guest Medical Coverage - Provides protection for your guests, who are accidentally injured on your property as a result of a covered loss. This protection pays for the reasonable and necessary medical expenses they incur, regardless of who was at fault.

Loss Assessment Coverage - Pays for your share of expenses for a covered loss, up to your policy limits, when your association requires an assessment on all unit owners for certain covered losses.

Personal Property Protection - Provides protection against covered loss to movable property like a stereo, bicycle, furniture or clothing. Most Homeowners, Condominium, Mobile home or Renters Insurance Policies set aside special coverage limits for movable personal property, or categories of personal property, like jewelry, money and securities. You can increase the coverage limits for these and other possessions by selecting an Optional Coverage Endorsement to your Homeowners, Condominium, Mobile home or Renters Insurance Policy.

Protection for Other Structures - Protects an insured's structures which are separated from the dwelling by a clear space. Protects structures like a detached garage, storage unit, fence, gazebo…(Exceptions: Renters and Condominium Policy)

Replacement Cost Coverage - In the event of a covered loss, you may be reimbursed for the cost you incur to replace many of your damaged contents with similar property, brand new. The total amount you'd be reimbursed is subject to the terms and conditions of your particular policy, including applicable deductible and coverage limits.