Category: Home Insurance

Insuring Your Home Renovation Project

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Here’s why you should report your home renovation to your insurance provider.

If you are beginning a renovation on your home, you probably have a lot on your plate. However, in your rush to complete all your planning, it’s important that you do not forget to speak to your homeowners insurance provider about your remodeling plans.

Why does your insurer need to know about your home renovation?

When you renovate your home, its value will increase. It’s possible that your existing homeowners insurance policy will not offer enough coverage to meet this increased value. Rather than leaving yourself at risk for dangerous coverage gaps, you should report any changes to your home to your insurance provider. Your agent will help you secure the additional coverage you need to protect your renovation project.

What policy changes should I make?

Your agent will be able to advise you on how to best protect your home while it’s being remodeled. Oftentimes, they will recommend gradually increasing your policy’s coverage limits as the project progresses. If you are constructing a major addition to your home, such as a new room or garage, you might also want to list this addition in your policy to ensure that it is covered.

Do I need coverage for my contractor?

Any time construction work takes place, there is a risk for injury. However, it is up to your contracting company to provide workers compensation insurance for its staff. To ensure that you are not held liable for any injuries that take place on your property, check that your contractor and subcontractors (electricians, plumbers, etc.) have proof of insurance.

This is why you need to report your home renovation to your insurance provider. Do you need assistance with your homeowners insurance? Don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California. We are ready to get you covered today.

The Importance of Updating Your Home Inventory

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Here’s how having an updated home inventory can help with your homeowners insurance.

While most homeowners associate spring with cleaning, there’s another household task that you should complete this spring. You should take the time to update your home inventory. A home inventory is a detailed list that records all the items in your home and what it would cost to replace these possessions. While updating your inventory is certainly tedious, it is still an important task, as it can help you with your home insurance. Here’s why having an updated home inventory is important for your homeowners insurance.

  • Having an updated home inventory can help you determine whether your homeowners insurance policy is offering you enough coverage. Most standard home insurance policies offer coverage for your personal possessions. However, this coverage has limits. Normally, you want your policy to cover about half of the value of your belongings. That’s why having an updated inventory is so essential. Once you have a clear understanding of how much your belongings are worth, you can determine whether your policy offers enough coverage to meet your needs.
  • Having an updated home inventory can also help you take stock of your possessions after dealing with a fire, burglary, or other devastating event. If you face such a serious situation, you will have to file a claim for the belongings that are damaged or missing. Using your updated inventory as a checklist, you can ensure that you do not miss any of your belongings on your claim. Ultimately, having an updated inventory will make the claims process easier and far less stressful.

These are some of the reasons why it’s important to have an updated home inventory.  Do you have further questions about your home inventory or home insurance in general?  Don’t hesitate to contact us at Stromsoe Insurance in Murrieta, California.  We are ready to assist you with all your insurance needs.

How Spring Cleaning Can Help You Avoid Filing Insurance Claims

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Find out how doing a little spring cleaning can help you prevent homeowners insurance issues.

Spring is officially here!  If you are like many other homeowners, the start of the new season means that it’s time to freshen up your home with a little cleaning.  While spring cleaning undoubtedly makes your home look better, did you know that it could also make your home safer?  Here are some of the spring cleaning and maintenance tasks that can help you avoid filing insurance claims this season.

Clear Your Gutters

During the winter months, debris can accumulate in your home’s gutters.  If faced with a spring shower, your gutters can become clogged, causing water to overflow and collect on your roof.  This in turn can result in leaks and other water damage to your roof.  If you want to avoid filing a claim for this damage, make sure you clean out your gutters as part of your spring cleaning.

Clean Your Dryer

Over time, lint can accumulate in the vents and tubing leading to and from your home’s dryer.  This lint is extremely flammable and the heat generated by your dryer can be enough to set it ablaze.  If you want to reduce your risk for fire, take care to vacuum out the lint trap, vents, and tubing of your dryer.

Repair Your Walkways

The harsh winter weather conditions might have caused damage to the walkways leading to your home. If your walkways are cracked or irregular, there’s a chance that guests could trip and injure themselves on your property.   If you want to avoid this liability risk, make sure you repair any damaged walkways as part of your spring cleaning routine.

These are some of the spring cleaning tasks that can help you avoid filing homeowners insurance claims.  Looking for the best coverage for your home?  Look to the professionals at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California.  Our dedicated team is ready to get you covered.  Contact us to get started today.

How Do I Choose the Right Home Insurance Deductible?

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How Do I Choose the Right Home Insurance Deductible?Maximize your home insurance by choosing the best deductible for you!

Deciding on your home insurance deductible can be a stressful balancing act.  Before starting the process, learn what a deductible is and how it affects you.

In plain words, a deductible is the amount of money you agree to pay out-of-pocket before your home insurance kicks in.  For example, if you have a deductible of $100 and you make a claim for $300, your insurance company will pay $200.

Many insurance companies have a minimum deductible that you must assume.  However, they also offer you the opportunity to balance your deductible against your premium.  This means that the higher deductible that you agree to pay, the lower your annual premium will be.  While increasing your home insurance deductible is a common money-saving strategy, it’s important to know the risks this decision entails.  Many homeowners agree to pay a higher deductible to save money on their premium only to find that they can’t pay their deductible when disaster strikes.  Agreeing to pay a higher deductible than you can afford means you might not receive coverage when you need it.

On the flip side, many homeowners decide on a lower deductible to ensure that they can afford coverage when they need it.  However, if these homeowners consistently avoid filing a claim, they might find themselves losing money by paying their high premium costs.

Ultimately, when choosing the right deductible for you, it’s important to look at your finances and determine what you can afford to pay comfortably.  Please remember that how your deductible affects your premium differs depending on state and local regulations.  Your individual insurance company will also affect the balance between your deductible and premium.

Be sure to contact our knowledgeable team at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California for all of your personal and business insurance coverage needs.  We will work with you to ensure you have the right amount of protection, all at the right price to fit your budget.

Signs That Your Roof Might Need to Be Replaced

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

A roof protects you and your family from the elements of nature, but it doesn’t last forever.

Your roof offers protection from nature: things like rain, strong winds, beaming sun, hail, snow, and everything else in between. But sometimes a roof can reach the end of its life without experiencing much stress. Replacing an old roof is necessary to avoid any potential dangers that may arise from ignoring the calls from your roof. Here are a few signs from your roof telling you that you need to replace it.

Signs You Need a New Roof

  • Roof Age – Most roofs last only 20 to 25 years. Many roofs today are built for durability, but there are many factors that can expedite the expiration date. Such factors include poor ventilation.
  • Warped Shingles – Shingles need to be straight and filled with granules. If there are any cracked or curling shingles, you may want to consider replacing your roof – at the very least, those damaged shingles.
  • Neighbors Replacing Roofs – Many homes in the same neighborhood were built around the same time. If you see your neighbors replacing their roofs, it may be a sign that yours requires a replacement as well.
  • Moss – Moss can grow on your roof in those sections that don’t get much sunlight, especially in moist climates. Moss can be more than a cosmetic issue, however. Moss holds moisture and can, over time, cause damage to the shingles and the foundation on which your roof was installed. Moss can be brushed away, but it requires a roofing professional to permanently seal off its access to moisture.

Make sure that you see your roof’s signs and get your roof replaced if need be. Home insurance may not cover your roof for natural wear and tear, but it’s still important to have one to protect you in case it does get damaged by a covered peril. Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your insurance needs today!

How to Review Your Homeowners Insurance at Renewal

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Don’t assume that your current homeowners insurance will cover you at renewal because there may have been some life changes that require an update on your policy. 

Home insurance is a confusing policy to own. This is because policies are molded to fit the needs of the individual, so coverage can vary as widely, like the ravines of the Grand Canyon. If you have never read the entirety of your policy, it is time you do. Within this policy you will know everything you need to know. What happens if a meteor crashes into your home? What about a broken pipe and water damage?  Here are a few things you need to look at when it comes to reviewing your policy at renewal.

Contents – Content coverage is generally placed between 50 and 70 percent of your home’s value and helps pay to replace or repair your damaged belongings if they are affected by the covered damage. That means if you’re home’s value is $100,000, for example, coverage will range from $50,000 – $70,000.

Structure – How much would it cost to completely rebuild your home if it were utterly destroyed. When reviewing your policy ask yourself if you made any new renovations to the house. If you did, you should talk to your agent to update your policy to reflect your home’s new value.

Liability – Medical bills are costly and if someone injures themselves on your property, you will be liable. In order to be completely covered, you need to be transparent with your provider. Do you have a dog? What about a tree house or trampoline? These are all things your insurer needs to know in order to provide adequate liability insurance.

A properly reviewed home insurance policy will ensure that your home is protected against new covered damages. Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your insurance needs today!

What Every Californian Should Know About Earthquake Insurance

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Earthquakes are catastrophic events that can destroy property and leave many injured–here is what you need to know about earthquake insurance.

How earthquakes occur. 

The surface of the earth is made up of giant land masses called tectonic plates which rest on top of the planet’s crust. Due to the convection currents of the mantle, these plates move slowly across the surface and rub up against each other. When two or more plates collide or separate, it creates vast amounts of energy, which propagates through the land. We feel this effect as an earthquake.

What homeowners insurance does not cover. 

Homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake-related damages. If your home is destroyed or damaged by an earthquake and you do not have earthquake insurance, you are likely going to have to pay out-of-pocket.
All policies have exclusions, and earthquake insurance is no exception. It does not cover damage to vehicles, the land around a home, or anything covered by a homeowners insurance policy.

What earthquake insurance covers.

Finding an earthquake insurance that is right for you depends on a few variables. What are these variables? One is the total cost it will take to completely rebuild your home and replace some of your belongings. It can cover things like furniture, musical instruments, clothing, medicine, and food. It also depends on the location of your home, and that region’s risk for earthquake damage.
With the addition of “Loss of Use Coverage,” you may be eligible to receive $100,000 in coverage without paying a deductible.

The proper earthquake insurance policy will ensure that your home is protected against the trembling crust of the earth. Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your insurance needs today!

Does Your “Precious” Have Enough Jewelry Coverage?

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Your jewelry needs to be insured to deal with the risk of everyday life, and while homeowners insurance may cover your precious items, you may require more.

If only Smeagol would have had enough jewelry coverage, perhaps he could have spent his time doing something more productive rather than following a pair of hobbits all the way to Mordor to steal back his “precious.” While your reason to insure your jewelry may not be as extreme, you need to know if all of your jewelry is going to be covered in case of an accident. Here are a few things everyone should know when it comes to their jewelry and jewelry coverage.

  1. How much does your homeowners insurance cover?
    Your homeowners insurance covers your jewelry, that much is not up for debate. What is up for debate is the amount of coverage and the damage to which your pieces of jewelry may fall victim. Insurance covers regular things like fire, theft, vandalism, and other things, but it will not cover stone.
  2. What is the monetary value of your jewelry collection?
    Hire a professional to appraise your collection in order to get an idea of how much coverage you need.
  3. Do any additional pieces need extra coverage?
    Only once you know your monetary amount, can you purchase the correct coverage. If some of your expensive pieces go above your coverage, you can extend the policy to these pieces to ensure you are covered.

Your jewelry may only have sentimental value, thus, no price tag in your eyes. But that doesn’t go double for burglars or the curve balls of life. For all of your home insurance coverage needs to keep your jewelry and your home safe from covered dangers, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We will work with you to ensure you have the right coverage that you deserve, all at the right price to fit your budget.

Is it Time to Update Your Home Insurance?

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Your home is one of the most important investments you can make, so it is important that you update your home insurance should these changes arise.

When it comes to maintaining good care of your home, you have enough to worry about. What with mortgage payments, upgrades, repairs, cleaning the gutters and the basement and everything in between–they are probably all on top of your to-do list. All the while your home insurance policy may not have seen the light of day since you have purchased your home. This is actually dangerous because you need to know about any discounts or glaring in your coverage. Here are a few instances in which you should review and update your home insurance policy.

  1. Remodeling – Your home is insured for what is in your home at the time of purchase. If you have remodeled your kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc., your home’s market value may have risen. If there’s an accident that damages your home, it will likely not cover any post-remodel expenses. Update your policy to match your home.
  2. Expensive Items – You have limited coverage, and while you may think that it is a lot of money, one expensive item may put your claim above that limit. If you purchase a big-ticket item, like art or jewelry, make sure it reflects on your policy.
  3. Lifestyle Changes – Have you retired? Have you quit smoking? These, and more, are lifestyle changes that may land you some big discounts when it comes to your premium

For all of your home insurance coverage needs to keep your home safe from fires and other covered dangers, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We will work with you to ensure you have the right coverage that you deserve, all at the right price to fit your budget.

Annual Home Maintenance Tips

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Winter may be upon us, but do you know of these annual home maintenance tips every homeowner needs?

The winter can be a punishing season to our homes. The fluctuation in temperature, the rain, and all the other forces of nature that seem like they’re out to get us during the winter can wear on your home’s exterior. Here are some home maintenance tips that you should practice in your home at least once a year.

Annual Home Maintenace Tips

Roof Shingles – As is the case with all matter in the universe, the more you heat an object up, the more it expands. As you it cools, contraction occurs. These changes in size are microscopic, but it affects the structure of that object. Roof shingles are no exception. Make sure that your roof shingles are neither peeling nor clawing.

Check the Gutters – Your gutters serve as a way to expel rainwater and snowmelt away from the foundation of your home. Make sure that your gutters are free from any clutter which can clog your gutters and render them useless.

Examine the Chimney – The winter may have lead you to light your fireplace. Fire creates soot and creosote which can build up in your chimney vent. This is particularly bad because if enough soot builds up, it will not allow smoke to flow and send it back inside your home, which can cause carbon monoxide and dioxide poisoning.

The Portals – By portals, we mean windows and doors. Make sure that they have proper sealing to keep your home energy efficient.

For all of your home insurance coverage needs to keep your home safe from fires and other covered dangers, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We will work with you to ensure you have the right coverage that you deserve, all at the right price to fit your budget.