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Important News
October 2007
Is your home properly covered?
By Griffin-Owens & Associates
Most people simply can’t afford to rebuild their home and replace everything in it if there’s a disaster. A homeowners insurance policy can protect your property, some of your personal possessions and yourself. It’s a package policy that combines two types of coverage:
- Coverage against your property being destroyed or damaged by certain perils, such as fire, theft and windstorms.
- Coverage for liability exposure – for example, someone being injured on your property.
No matter what type of home you own, insuring your personal property is your responsibility. Make sure you purchase enough insurance to cover rebuilding your home from the ground up and replacing everything inside.
Here’s the top four things you should know about homeowners insurance:
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Get enough insurance - While it sounds simple, make sure you have enough coverage to:
- Completely rebuild your home (or ensure you have the deposit for a new rental).
- Replace your personal belongings.
- Protect yourself in case someone is injured on your property and sues you.
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Consider the amount of the deductible
- Generally speaking, the higher the deductible, the lower the premium.
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Ask about available discounts
- A number of discounts may be available for things like installing smoke detectors and wind-resistant shutters, and insuring your home and auto with the same agent. Your agent can give you the details on how to save on your premiums.
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Consider all situations
- There are certain hazards that your regular homeowners insurance doesn’t cover. However, you can add specific coverages for an additional cost. For instance, while flood damage is not generally covered, if you live in a flood zone, you can purchase flood insurance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For information, call (202) 566-1600 or visit www.fema.gov.
- Talk with your insurance agent to make sure you’ve accounted for everything you want to cover.
- Keep a list of your valuables and consider taking pictures. It will help speed up the process of getting your things replaced.
- Keep your valuable jewelry and documents in a fire-safe box.
I can help you choose an insurance policy that will fit your needs today and tomorrow. I’m a Nationwide Insurance agent. Let’s talk.
To learn more about insuring your home, contact Griffin-Owens & Associates at 703-471-0050.
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than $157 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks #99 on the Fortune 100 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, homeowners, life, health, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mutual funds, pensions and long-term savings plans. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide and the Nationwide Framework are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. On Your Side is a service mark of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
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