Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Just How Much Homeowner's Insurance Is Enough?

Homeowner's insurance is required by most mortgage lenders.If anything happens to your residence, the lender must know the loan is going to be paid for.There might be a need to have more coverage than what the lender requires.

The structure of your home is what Homeowner's insurance covers. Most policies also automatically cover your belongings which are in the house, up to a specified amount. But there are many factors to consider when determining whether you've enough homeowner’s insurance.

Your home itself should have enough coverage to repair it at current construction costs. This will generally be in excess of the cost you paid for the house. Your mortgage lender may only require you to have insurance for the amount of the mortgage, so considering additional coverage is wise. Contact today to learn more regarding real estate in Pagosa Springs CO.

In the event of a disaster such as a hurricane, building expenses rise. That means that your policy limits may be lower than what it will cost to rebuild. There are additional policies that pay more than the standard policy. They're called guaranteed replacement policies, or extended policies. Most policies cover your personal belongings up to a certain percentage of the coverage on the home itself. If it is insufficient, your insurance agent can sell you additional coverage. It is worth noting that the standard coverage often covers the cash value of your belongings. If you would like them covered for full replacement value, you can obtain coverage for that at an extra charge.

Most homeowner’s insurance covers your living expenses should you be unable to live in your house after a covered disaster. They will pick up the cost of hotels and meals while your house is worked on. If you are feeling that the limits of this coverage are too low, you could possibly increase them for a higher premium.

Homeowner’s insurance also handles liability to a certain extent. If someone is injured or incurs damage for their property while in your property, the coverage will include your court expenses and damages up to a specified amount, typically about $100,000. Whether you will need additional coverage depends on your specific situation. To determine how much homeowner’s insurance you need, you can multiply the square footage of your home by the building cost per square foot in the local area. You could get that information from your real estate or insurance agent. You may also add various kinds of natural disater coverage, fire, personal possessions, and visitor protection. These factors could necessitate additional coverage. You need enough coverage to safeguard your home and possessions. Proper coverage helps you rest easier knowing you're well covered. If disaster happens, it's good to understand you're covered.Chris Willhelm is the broker at Riverside Properties, 475 Lewis St, Ste 213, Pagosa Springs CO 81147. (970) 264-2168 Click to find Pagosa Springs homes for sale