How to shop for home and rental insurance?

Question

Hi there,

I am completely dissatisfied how Liberty Mutual is handling my claim, and we have all our insurance polocies (home, rentals, aturo, etc) with them.

Depending on the outcome, I am thinking of swithching to another insuracne company. My last research on insurance company was like 5 years ago. Any good articles in mind on how to shop and what coverages to request? Book recommendation is helpful too :)

Thanks!Edita

Brian Armstrong · Answer

I would find an independent insurance agent you know, like, and trust! Insurance varies from state to state so it's important to find someone who knows your situation well. Independent agents aren't stuck in a box with one company but can do the shopping for you! There are a lot of great commercials from companies who are notoriously bad at paying claims.

I want to underscore the importance of what @John Mocker said above about making sure your policy has "Replacement Cost" on both the Dwelling and Personal Property. As an independent agent and active investor I won't write a policy without that! The extras like Ordinance & Law Coverage, Water Backup, etc. are important too!

I'm sorry to hear about your experience with Liberty Mutual. They've been great to me and my clients here in Colorado. This emphasizes my point above about finding someone you know, like, and trust so they can help fight the battles for and with you :)

Best of luck,

Brian

Edita D. · Answer

Thanks so much @John Mocker!!

John Mocker · Answer

Edita,

Below are some general items of information that will help in your process:

Here are some things to look for from an Insurance prospective:

• Any in-ground tanks (active or inactive)
• Any Knob & Tube or Aluminum Wiring
• If built before 1978, does the building have Lead Safe certifications
• Any wood stoves or secondary heating units. If so, were permits pulled & were they installed by a professional
• Are any of the homes rented to students
• Is there a flat roof
• are there asbestos shingles

The Year that the following were updated (either partially or fully) would be good to know:

- Heating systems

- Roof

- Plumbing

- electrical

Some companies will not write properties with systems that have not been updated.

As long as you are living there, the proper policy for a 1-4 family is a "Homeowners" policy . If the property is solely tenant occupied you will be looking for a Dwelling/Fire Policy (may be called a Landlord policy or similar name) or a commercial policy such as a Businessowners or Package policy.

Most homeowers or dwelliing/fire policies include:

1. Dwelling (Building coverage)

The limit should be based on the Replacement Cost of the building (cost to rebuild with

the same kind and quality excluding the foundation)

2. Contents (Personal Property): most homeowners policies give a set % of the Building

limit for Contents. Dwelling/Fire policies requrie that you request a limit for conents.

3. Detached Structures: for other buildings on the property (ie. sheds & detached garages)

Again, there is normally an included limit of 10% of the building limit. That can be increased

if needed.

4. Loss of Use / Loss of Rents: Normally, there is a 20% included limit. Loss of use is for

your additional expenses if you can not live there due to a covered claim (ie. Fire). The

Loss of Rents is for the loss of Rental income if the tenants can not occupy the house

after a covered loss.

5. Personal Liability: For claims due to Bodily Injury or Property Damage that you become

Liable for and which is covered under the policy. Companies normally offer limits up to

$500,000 but some offer $1,000,000. Buy the max.

6. Medical Payments: Provides coverage for an injury suffered on the premises. Does not

require proof that you were at fault. Used to keep small loses into becoming lawsuits.

Normally offered up to $5,000 but check to see if higher limits are available.

7. Deductible: This is not a coverage but rather your portion of a claim. Most better policies

will not have a deductible for either the Liability or Medical payments coverage. It will

apply to the other 4 coverages. You can select the amount of the deductible, usually

ranges from $500 to $5,000. The higher the deductible the lower your overall premium

but get quotes on all the deductibles you are interested in. Sometimes the incremental

savings from $1,000 to $2,500 or from $2,500 to $5,000 are too small to make the higher

deductible worthwhile. ***depending on how far the house is from the coast, you may

also be required to have a separate Wind or Hurricane deductible. Most times, the

deductible will be 2% to 5% of the building value. That is a significant amount

(on a $500,000 building that comes to $10,000 for 2% or $25,000 for 5%). A policy

with a higher premium may be a better deal if it does not have a wind deductible.

There are many endorsements that are available on the homeowners policy. Without

knowing the details I can not suggest which would be right to add on.

Several you should pay attention to are:

- Ordinance & Law: Provides additional building coverage to deal with rebuilding cost

Increases due to changes in Zoning or Building laws

- Personal Injury Liability: Libel, defimation of character, wrongful imprisionment, etc.

(normally recommended, especially if you are a landlord)

- Water Backup: For water damage due to the backup of Sewers or Drains.

- Personal Articles: Coverage for belongings that have a special or collectors value

such as Jewelery, Furs, Fine Arts, Collectibles, etc...

Your age should not be a factor on the pricing but, depending on the company these other factors may get you credits:

- Insurance Score (company pulls certain info out of your credit report)

It is not your credit score but generally better credit will result in a better score

- Time at your job

- Education level

- time at current residence

- Claim history