A home is typically a person's biggest and most valuable investment, which is why it's so important to protect it in the case of a natural calamity or disaster. The ideal way to do this is by getting home insurance.
Under a standard home insurance policy, your home and its belongings will be covered by the insurance-providing company. But how will you know which insurance company and approach would be best for you?
Here are four major factors you need to consider when choosing the right home insurer.
Look For a Local Insurance Company
A local home Insurance company will be more familiar with the details of your neighborhood, including the risks related to home insurance in your area. Laws governing home insurance vary by state and so does the price range. You'll likely find many insurers offering home insurance in your local area, so you need to compare them.
Many companies are rated by third-party organizations. You can compare each company's rating from Standard and Poor's (S&P) and J.D. Power to find a company that provides the best customer satisfaction and has strong financial stability. They take into account real customer feedback about costs, staff interactions, and claim handling.
Figure Out Their Rates and Coverage
Most home insurances are similar across all insurers. Typically, a standard policy will include the main residence coverage, detached structure coverage, and a limited liability component. The cost and details of these elements however vary significantly among insurers.
Comparing quotes from a few different providers for the same amount of coverage will help you determine which insurance company offers the most. You can also talk to an insurance agent to understand what sort of value you're getting from a specific level of coverage.
Determine How they Payout on Claims
Another big factor you need to consider is how your insurer pays out on claims, or in other words, reimburses you. Knowing if the claim will be paid on an actual cash value (ACV) or a replacement cost value (RCV) is just as important as being familiar with the claim-filing process.
Most home insurance companies reimburse you based on actual cash value, factoring in depreciation into your payouts. On the other hand, a replacement cost value policy will pay to rebuild your home to its original state without depreciation mixed in. But a policy with RCV can also be quite expensive.
Take Your Home's Features into Account
One of the most important things to consider when choosing home insurance is the discounts the insurer offers. Many home insurance companies provide discounts to homeowners on their various insurance products. Features like your home's square footage, safety features, and construction materials will influence the home insurance's cost.
For instance, a provider might provide discounts if your home has a security system or an impact-resistant roof. So, look for insurers that offer coverage for those features and lower your home insurance rate.
