Home Insurance in Decatur, GA
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Free Homeowners Insurance Quotes in Decatur, GA
Is Your Home Underinsured?
A Quick Guide to Insuring Your Home
- Not all forms of water damage are covered.
- If you have concerns about flooding or earthquakes, you’ll need riders or separate policies for these.
- Damage from things like pets and termites are almost never covered.
- For full coverage, you should make a home inventory.
- Anything high value must be properly documented.
- When it comes to vandalism and theft, expect an investigation to ensure there is no fraud taking place.
FAQs About Homeowners Insurance in Decatur, GA
How much coverage do you need when purchasing home insurance?
The best practice would be to get enough coverage to be able to rebuild and have sufficient coverage to cover the cost of your valuables in the event of the worst-case scenario.
Contact our office to discuss the coverage that best suits your needs.
Will Home Insurance Pay For Destroyed Patio Furniture After a Storm?
Every situation is different so when storm damage occurs it is best to contact your agent directly to see what is covered under your home insurance. You may be able to file a claim.
What Is Covered By Home Insurance?
Home insurance generally does not cover normal wear and tear and usually will not cover damage done by someone in your home. However, it is always best to reach out to your agent in order to find out if the damage done to your property is covered under your insurance.
What about My Deductible?
Deductibles are usually included in home insurance plans and you should consider it before choosing whether or not to file a claim. A deductible is the amount that you must pay before the insurance company pays. Compare the value of your patio furniture to the value of your deductible. You won’t be compensated if the value of the furniture is significantly less than the deductible.
How Much Will My Insurance Company Pay Out For Patio Furniture?
Home insurance policies will usually pay out based on the item’s value before a storm has occurred. Items will be valued based on the original purchase price and depreciation of value since purchase. It’s also possible that your policy provides replacement cost coverage which may be enough to purchase a new piece as replacement. To get an accurate estimate, take photos of the damage done and contact your insurance agency. From there you will learn the kind of coverage you have, what the deductible on your insurance is and how much you could possibly receive if you file a claim.
Beware of Construction Fraud
Dealing with unforeseen property damage is already a stressful situation. Construction fraud is something that you need to be wary of when looking to get your property rebuilt or repaired. Do your due diligence when selecting a company to work with. Look for character references, ask to see photos of previous work, ask for proof of insurance and never agree to cash payments. Consult with your insurance agent and trust your gut.
Your Definitive House Hunting Checklist
1. Check your credit score
Unless you are buying a home outright, you will need a mortgage—and lenders won’t let just anyone borrow. If your credit score is low, consider putting off house hunting until you get it higher. Also, go over your credit report and look for any mistakes that could be bringing your score down, then get them fixed.
2. Protect your finances with a renter’s insurance policy
Most likely, you are renting for now until you buy your home. The risk here is if you don’t have a renter’s policy, one bad day could ruin your chances of affording a home. Renter’s policies are affordable and help set you up for a better future once you buy.
3. Quality and location of the fire department
Houses that are located near highly rated, permanently staffed fire departments usually cost less to insure. This also holds true for homes that have a hydrant nearby.4. Proximity to the coastline
Houses located on or near the coast will generally cost more to insure than those further inland. They will also likely require a separate hurricane or windstorm deductible. In some coastal communities, private homeowner’s insurance coverage may not be readily available. Instead, you may need to purchase insurance through a state-run insurance program.5. Age of the home
A stately, older home can be quite beautiful but ornate features like plaster walls, ceiling molding and wooden floors may be costly to replace and can raise the cost of insurance. And plumbing and electrical systems can become unsafe with age and lack of maintenance. If you are considering buying an older home find out how much it will cost to update these features and factor that into the cost of ownership.6. Condition of the roof
A new roof matters to insurers and keeps you and your family safer. Make sure to check the roof’s condition. Depending on the type of roof and whether or not it’s made with fire and/or hail resistant materials, you may even qualify for an insurance discount.7. Quality of construction
Find out whether the house has been updated to comply with current building codes. Homes well built by careful craftsmen and those constructed to meet modern engineering-based building codes are likely to better withstand natural disasters.8. Risk of flooding
Damage from flooding is NOT covered by standard home insurance policies. If you are buying a home in an area at risk from flooding, you will need to purchase separate flood insurance, which is available from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and from a few specialty insurers.9. History of earthquakes
While earthquakes are most frequently associated with California, they occur in the majority of states and are not covered under standard home insurance policies. Earthquake insurance is available from private insurers as an endorsement to a homeowner’s policy, and in California from the California Earthquake Authority.10. Swimming pool or other special features
If the house has a swimming pool, hot tub or other special feature, you will likely need more liability insurance. You may also want to consider purchasing an umbrella liability policy to provide added protection in the event someone gets injured on your property and decides to sue you.Take precautions and understand the house’s history, current condition, potential trouble spots—and costs.
1. Check the loss history report
Ask the current homeowner to obtain a copy of the loss history report on the home. Homeowners can obtain either a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (C.L.U.E.) report, which is available from LexisNexis, or an A-PLUSTM property report from ISO®. These reports provide a record of the type of loss on the home and can provide extremely valuable information. For instance, if there was a claim for water damage on the home, it is important to find out the source of the damage (such as a burst pipe) and whether it has been properly repaired. On the other hand, a claim for wind or hail that resulted in a new roof makes the home stronger and is very attractive from an insurance perspective.
2. Get the house inspected
You’ll need to have the house inspected by a credentialed home inspector in order to get your mortgage approved. Accompany the inspector to make sure he or she is thorough and makes sure to:
- Check the general condition of the home
- Look for water damage, termites and other types of infestation
- Review the electrical system, plumbing, septic tank and water heater
- Show you where potential problems might develop
- Double-check that past problems have been repaired
- Suggest important upgrades or replacements
If the inspector raises questions, your insurance company will as well. Be sure to find out if there is an underground oil storage tank, as many insurers will not provide policies for homes that have one.
3. Estimate maintenance costs
Routine maintenance is your responsibility as a homeowner so be sure to factor these costs into the overall price of owning the home. Losses caused by failing to properly care for your home are not covered by standard homeowner’s insurance policies.
4. Call our agency
Don’t wait until the last minute to think about homeowner’s insurance and don’t be shy about asking for estimates on more than one house. Ask if the house will qualify and get an estimate of the premium. The sooner you speak with one of our insurance professionals, the smoother the process will be. If you’re uncomfortable with the cost of insuring a particular house, look for one that better fits your financial situation.
Contact Info
- 2373 Lawrenceville Hwy, Decatur, GA 30033
- (404) 633-3333
- susan@focusins.net
- steveg@focusins.net
- Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
