Tag: homeowners insurance

Homeowners Insurance and Halloween Mishaps

Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year, especially for children. With more people walking around your property, the chances of accidents—like someone tripping on a decoration or falling on your porch—can increase. Does your homeowners insurance cover a Halloween mishap?

Fortunately, if you’re a homeowner, your insurance policy may provide important protection during this spooky season. Here’s what you need to know:

Personal Liability Coverage
  • The personal liability coverage in your homeowners’ insurance policy is designed to protect you financially if someone gets injured on your property and holds you responsible. If a trick-or-treater trips over a pumpkin on your porch or slips on your walkway, they could suffer injuries that require medical attention. In this case, personal liability coverage would help pay for their medical expenses, and even legal fees if the family decides to sue you for negligence.
Medical Payments Coverage
  • In addition to liability coverage, homeowners insurance policies typically include medical payments coverage, which can help cover minor injuries for guests on your property. Unlike liability coverage, medical payments coverage is a no-fault benefit, meaning it can help pay for medical costs (such as a quick visit to the doctor or emergency room) regardless of who was at fault for the injury.
Preventing Accidents
  • While homeowners insurance can help protect you financially, it’s still best to avoid accidents altogether. Here are some safety tips to keep trick-or-treaters safe while they visit your home:
    • Clear Walkways – Make sure your sidewalks, stairs, and driveways are free from obstructions like garden hoses, fallen branches, or debris. 
    • Secure Decorations – Ensure that any Halloween decorations you set up are securely fastened and not creating tripping hazards. Watch out for low-hanging or dangling items that could obstruct vision or cause falls.
    • Light It Up – Keep your property well-lit so trick-or-treaters can see where they’re going.
    • Keep Pets Indoors –  Even the friendliest pets can become anxious with a constant stream of visitors. To prevent accidents or scares, keep pets away from the front door.

By ensuring your property is safe and knowing your policy’s details, you can enjoy the holiday knowing that both you and your Halloween visitors are protected.

—

At Raymond Nelson Insurance, we go the extra mile to find the coverage that best protects what matters most: the business you’ve built and the people you love. We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Call us today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.

Does My Insurance Cover Home Renovations?

Your homeowner’s insurance may provide coverage for minor renovations you made to your home before a covered loss. However, if your renovations include things like adding a room or installing a pool, your policy may need to be updated to provide additional coverage.
What does homeowners insurance cover?

Typical homeowners insurance policies protect your home and your personal property from damage caused by several unforeseen events including:

  • Fire
  • Windstorm
  • Hail
  • Lightning

 

Your policy typically includes dwelling coverage to help pay to repair or rebuild your home if damaged or destroyed by a covered cause of loss.

Many policies also provide coverage for other structures on the property that are not attached to your home, such as:
  • Garages
  • Sheds
  • Fences
Additionally, many policies offer:

 
While standard policies generally don’t cover remodeling expenses, they do often provide coverage for damages that may occur during the renovation process. For instance, if a fire were to break out during construction or if your property were to sustain damage due to a covered peril, such as vandalism or theft, your insurance may help cover the cost of repairs or replacements.

It’s essential to review your policy carefully and consider discussing your remodeling plans with your Raymond Nelson insurance agent. We can offer guidance on any potential coverage gaps and advise you on whether additional insurance, such as a builder’s risk policy or a renovation endorsement, may be necessary to protect your investment adequately.

If you have any further questions or need assistance navigating your homeowner’s insurance coverage, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help ensure you have the information and protection you need throughout your remodeling journey.

At Raymond Nelson Insurance, we go the extra mile to find the coverage that best protects what matters most: the business you’ve built and the people you love. We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Call us today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.

Are You Covered for Water Backup Damage?

Spring storms can cause unexpected water damage to your home. Here’s why you should consider adding water backup coverage to your homeowners policy.

Most homeowners don’t think about water backup coverage when getting home insurance, but water backup can cause extensive damage to your home. 

Why you need it:
  • It’s not included in a standard homeowners insurance policy.
    • If you don’t have water backup coverage for your home, condo, or even your renters insurance policy, then you could be stuck paying for cleanup or damages caused by a sump pump or similar equipment that is not considered a plumbing system.

 

  • Everyone has the potential to need this type of coverage.
    • Even if you have flood insurance, it’s a different policy.

 

  • It can cover you for loss of use if your home is uninhabitable.
    • In most cases of a sump pump failure, you may have to leave the residence while clean happens.
    • Or if your furnace is damaged due to water backup and it’s 30º outside and you can’t heat your home.
    • Loss of use coverage covers living expenses above and beyond a person’s normal living expenses.
    • It can cover your hotel room while your claim adjuster approves your claim.
How to prevent water backup:
    • Don’t pour oil or grease down your drains.

 

    • Watch what you flush down your toilets (no paper towels or feminine products).

 

    • Consider using plastic pipes to prevent tree roots from entering them.

 

    • Check your sump pump regularly.

 

    • Install a backwater prevention valve to prevent sewer backups.

 

    • Buy a battery backup to keep your sump pump running when the power goes out.

At Raymond Nelson Insurance, we go the extra mile to find the coverage that best protects what matters most, the business you’ve built and the people you love. We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Call us today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Burst Pipes?

One of the hazards of winter weather is frozen pipes that burst and cause damage to your home. Are you covered by your homeowners policy?
Coverage with exceptions
  • Most homeowners insurance will cover pipes that burst because of sudden and accidental damage.
  • But, the exception would be if the damage occurred because of homeowner negligence.
  • If there was negligence (if the burst pipe happened because the pipes were old or there was a lack of maintenance), then coverage would be denied. 
What’s covered?
  • Generally, coverage would include the following:
    • Accidental discharge or overflow from plumbing, air conditioning, or automatic sprinkler system.
    • However, it can also cover frozen pipes if proper precautions* are taken to prevent them from freezing.
  • Though some insurance might cover the damage caused by the water, they may not protect the actual pipes or that burst.
  • Here’s what to do if a pipe bursts.

 

*Proper precautions
  • The homeowner must take all measures, such as insulating the pipes or turning the water supply off during winter.
  • The homeowner must prove that every precaution was taken to prevent pipes from freezing.
  • How to prevent pipes from freezing.

 

Three types of coverage
  • Personal Property Coverage
    • This will cover the damaged property from burst pipes, such as property in the basement.
    • The coverage amount would depend on the policy.
  • Dwelling coverage
    • This would cover any part of the home that has sustained damage.
    • This coverage would cover the repair or replacement of damages to property.
  • Use coverage
    • This covers expenses incurred above normal living expenses, such as staying in a hotel while repairs are being done.

Speak with your Raymond Nelson Insurance agent to ensure you have the proper coverage for all your insurance needs.

At Raymond Nelson Insurance, we go the extra mile to find the coverage that best protects what matters most, the business you’ve built and the people you love. We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Call us today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.