The FOCUS on NoVA Real Estate® team discusses the top three considerations when shopping for home owners insurance.

Today we’re talking about homeowners insurance. We are going to discuss three things: the age of the roof, water backup coverage, and price versus your relationship with your agent.

1. Roof age: typically any roof that is over ten years old has two different types of coverage. You will need to make sure you know whether they will replace the roof in its entirety, or if they will give you a pro-rated amount for the age of the roof. For instance, if you have 30-year singles and the roof is 15 years old, they may only pay for half your roof rather than a total roof replacement. This can save you thousands of dollars if you have the correct replacement coverage.
2. Secondly we need to talk about water backup. It is absolutely the most common claim out there. If you have sump pump coverage and/or municipal sewer coverage you are going to be okay. Unfortunately this is one of the most common things that gets left out with Internet or 1-800 number quotes.
3. Lastly, just like real estate, you need to make sure that you are balancing the price for your insurance with the coverage you are getting. In addition to the relationship you have with your agent, an agent who has vendors that they can recommend to you when you are having one of the worst days of your life is critical. So make sure that you are getting everything that you’re supposed to be getting. The agent you are working with, that you have a good relationship with, that you know like and trust them, and they can explain the roughly 60 page policy that you are about ready to get for your homeowners insurance.

For more questions, or to get one of our recommendations to our trusted insurance agents, contact us today at the FOCUS on NoVA Real Estate® team.