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Some homeowners in Clarinda, IA mistakenly believe that the insurance policy they buy will cover everything in their houses. Basic home insurance policies are far from comprehensive when it comes to protecting various events that can damage your structure and its contents. A better course of action is to consider add-ons to your basic policy that the brokers at Sump Insurance can recommend.

What Standard Insurance Covers

Standard homeowner’s insurance policies generally provide four basic types of coverage. These are:

• Structural or dwelling coverage to rebuild your home after a covered risk
• Personal property to cover your belongings like furniture and clothing
• Alternative living expenses to pay for living elsewhere while your home is repaired
• Liability for legal and financial protection if someone is injured on your property

Add-Ons Provide Policy Customization

Add-ons, also called riders, allow homeowners to expand their coverage based on where they live, their home’s unique characteristics, and the items they own. Riders give you a wider umbrella of protection if mishaps occur. One of the most common riders involves a listing of valuable goods such as jewelry, artwork, and similar items worth much more than a typical deductible. These are called scheduled properties.

Other add-ons you should consider are:

• Equipment breakdown covering electronics and appliances
• Water and foundation backup for sump pumps send sewers
• Flooding
• Buried utility lines
• Swimming pool coverage for above and in-ground installations
• Extended reconstruction

The last is particularly important, as construction companies often do not finish promised repairs within the time your main policy allows.

Schedule A Consultation Today

Let Sump Insurance, serving the greater Clarinda, IA area customers advise you on what homeowner’s insurance you may need. We will gladly discuss your unique situation and recommend the best course of action. Call for a consultation today to determine your needs.

Our agents at Sump Insurance serving the Clarinda, IA area realize how hard you have worked to own your own home. This is the reason they want you to have the proper amount of home insurance in place to protect your investment.

Keep in mind that even if your home is paid for in full, and you do not owe a mortgage, you still need to have a home insurance policy to cover in case the unthinkable happens.

What Does Home Insurance Cover?

A basic home insurance policy will cover the structure of your home as well as the contents inside. The contents can include your clothing and personal belongings, furniture, appliances, electronics, and more. Some insurance policies for your house also include other outbuildings that are located on your property, such as garages or sheds. This type of property insurance is very important if your house is hit by some sort of natural disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado. This type of insurance will also help you repair or rebuild your house if it is damaged or destroyed by a fire or even an act of vandalism. Your home insurance policy will also come in handy if a burglary occurs at your home.

Home insurance can even keep you out of court if someone is injured while visiting your house. This is because it will help pay for their medical bills if they sustain injuries and even take time off of work for them.

It is important to note that certain things may not be covered under a regular home insurance policy, and you may need to add them as an addendum to your main policy. These things include flooding and earthquake insurance. Your agent can help you out with this also.

Contact Us Today

To create the best home insurance policy for you and your beautiful home, contact our agents at Sump Insurance serving the Clarinda, IA area today!

Plumbing issues can wreak havoc on your home, your budget, and your life. Burst pipes, leaks, or sewage backups can lead to water damage, mold growth, and structural problems. Homeowners experiencing water damage from plumbing issues like these often ask us at Sump Insurance in Clarinda, IA, if their insurance will cover the costs. While it depends on the specifics of your insurance policy and the cause of the damage, here are some general guidelines to consider.

Plumbing Issues & Insurance

Homeowner’s insurance typically covers sudden and accidental water damage caused by plumbing issues. If a pipe bursts or leaks because of factors beyond your control, like freezing temperatures or wear and tear, your insurance policy might cover the resulting damages. You can consult your agent or policy to determine whether there will be coverage in your particular situation. 

Certain kinds of plumbing damage are almost never covered by homeowners insurance, like damage that results from negligence or lack of maintenance. Additionally, some policies have specific exclusions for certain plumbing-related issues, like sewer backup. Carefully read your policy and consult with your insurance provider to understand what’s covered and what’s not.

In many cases, you can prevent plumbing-related damage by inspecting your pipes regularly, addressing leaks as soon as you notice them, and maintaining adequate insulation around your plumbing. If you do experience a plumbing emergency, take steps to limit the damage as soon as possible: turn off the water at the source, use towels or a wet vacuum to remove excess water, and set up fans in the affected area as soon as possible. Contact your insurance agent right away. As you work to repair the damage, take pictures and keep all of your receipts. 

We Can Help!

To learn more about homeowners coverage in Clarinda, IA, contact us at Sump Insurance today!

If you are looking to purchase home insurance, Sump Insurance, serving the greater Clarinda, IA area, would love the opportunity to assist you. One of the questions that we are frequently asked is what the benefits of buying home insurance in person from an insurance agent are compared to going online and purchasing home insurance.

Here are some of those benefits:

An Insurance Agent Can Help You Understand the Policy Language

One of the benefits associated with buying home insurance in person versus online is that an insurance agent can help you understand the policy language. Not everyone is familiar with every insurance term, so having a professional who is can be helpful. 

An Insurance Agent Can Help You Determine How Much Coverage You Need

Another benefit to buying home insurance in person versus online is that an insurance agent can work with you to determine how much coverage you need. This helps to ensure that you are fully protected in case an unexpected event occurs, and you need to file a claim with your home insurance company. 

An Agent Will Go Over the Exclusion List With You

Lastly, an insurance agent will go over the exclusion list with you. Many policies have exclusion lists that exclude things such as earthquakes or flooding caused by heavy rains. Knowing what is excluded helps you to better understand your policy and ensures you can purchase a separate insurance policy to cover things not covered by your home insurance policy. 

Reach Out To Us

An insurance agent can work with you to ensure that you understand the policy language, to help you determine how much coverage you need, and to be sure you understand what is excluded from your policy. If you are looking to purchase a home insurance policy in the greater Clarinda, IA area, reach out to Sump Insurance to get started.