Georgia residents have countless options when it comes to buying home insurance, and those options will vary depending on their location, situation, and the risks associated with living in a specific area. These tips will help you choose the right home insurance plan for your family.
1. Know your home’s value
Have a local builder provide an estimate of your home’s value. How much would it cost to rebuild from the ground up if there was a disaster? Having this number in mind will help make sure you purchase enough insurance to protect your property.
2. Ask around
Consider more than price when purchasing insurance for your home. Having great coverage might not be enough if your agent takes forever to actually file your claim, so research people’s experiences with various insurance agencies and their claims process before you decide.
3. Read your policy
Before you decide on a policy, read through it and ask questions on any unclear points. If you don’t understand the legal jargon, ask your agent to explain it until you do. Knowing exactly what is and isn’t covered will save you time and headaches later on. It’s also smart to reread your policy before you file a claim so you know exactly what is covered and what to expect.
4. Have Valuable Items Appraised
It’s not enough to know the value of your home. You’ll also want to make sure that particularly valuable items in your home, from electronics to artwork to jewelry, are covered, because most standard policies have fixed amounts they’ll pay for items that fall into each category. Know how much those items are worth and talk to your agent to make sure your insurance is adequate to cover them if they’re stolen; you may pay a few extra dollars for the coverage, but it’s almost always worth it.
