Posts tagged "Personal Property"

Health & Renter’s Insurance : Advice on Renter’s Insurance

Anyone who is renting property should get renter’s insurance because it covers both personal property and liabilities. Find out how to cover expensive items in a house through renter’s insurance with help from an insurance representative in this free video on renters insurance. Expert: John Pinelli Bio: John Pinelli is a financial representative. Filmmaker: Bing Hugh Series Description: Health insurance helps to pay for medical procedures through premiums that are paid by groups or individuals to protect against high or unexpected health care expenses. Learn about health insurance and renter’s insurance, and why they’re important, with help from an insurance representative in this free video series on insurance and personal finance.
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What’s Protected With Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance covers your personal home, including the contents of your home, and any personal belongings you or members of your household use, own, wear or carry—basically everything and the kitchen sink. Many Homeowners policies cover your personal belongings and/or contents anywhere in the world.  This insurance coverage is also based on your house’s coverage, and there are limits on the losses that can be claimed for certain items, such as cash, furs or jewelry—limits that can be increased with supplemental premiums. homeowners insurance can help restore or replace what you have lost, and compensate those who have been injured as well. Don’t even think about being without it, for the risk is too great. Homeowners insurance rates vary from insurance firm to insurer but for the most part take the same things into consideration. Therefore, it is important to know how you, your home and the location you live in affect what you pay for insurance. Homeowners insurance is always a good idea, as homes cannot avoid damage. It’s a good idea to get several home insurance quotes to find out what sort of policies and insurance rates you can get for your property.  Homeowners insurance helps pay to fix or rebuild your home and replace personal property due to a covered loss.

Homeowners insurance usually does not cover landslide damage. I have been to many homes that have been damaged by landslides and have only heard of one situation where the homeowners insurance company paid for the loss (after a lawsuit determined that the damage was done by a rock fall and the insurance did cover damage from falling objects). 

A form of Homeowners Insurance that many people don’t know about is Renters Insurance.  Renters Insurance is extremely important for anyone who is renting an apartment, house, or condo.  Renters Insurance has both benefits and limitations, but not having it can cause extreme hardship in the event of a loss as Rental Home & apartment owners aren’t responsible for the personal belongings or liability exposures of their tenants.  Renters insurance coverage protects the tenant from the unexpected and is generally inexpensive, so having it is a no-brainer.  

Actual cash value is the amount it would take to repair or replace damage to your home after depreciation. Actual-cash-value coverage reimburses you for the cost of your property at the time of the claim, minus the deductible. This can result in a lower claim payout than you expect. Actual cash value factors depreciation into the value of your house, while replacement cost covers the cost of repairing and/or replacing damaged parts of your house, which can be more than the depreciated value. You also need to consider the other property you own in your house, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, and more.

If you live in Indiana, Erie Insurance is a great company that provided insurance services to Indiana residents.  Erie Insurance has been recognized on the list of Ward’s 50 Group of top performing insurance companies. The Ward’s 50 award analyzes the fiscal performance of 3,000 property and casualty companies and 800 life-health insurance companies and recognizes the top performers for achieving outstanding financial results in safety and consistency over a five-year period (2004-2008).

Capital Insurance & Financial Services, LLC is an independent insurance agency in Fort Wayne, Indiana that represents Erie Insurance.   Capital Insurance & Financial Services, LLC will happily provide you with a comparative quote on your homeowners insurance, with no obligation or cost.   

What type of Home Owners Insurance do we need for our San Francisco condo?

We own a 1 unit of a 2 unit condo in San Francisco. We have a separate policy that covers our personal property within the walls of our unit. We and the owners of the other unit form the Home Owners Association, and are trying to figure out if we need a separate policy to cover the exterior and the yard, or if we can each get separate policies to cover our share. Any advice?

The HOA should get the master policy for the exterior and common areas. Do this so that you’re each not personally liable if something goes wrong – the HOA will be liable. For example, if a part of the building falls down and kills someone, you don’t want that on your personal insurance – that will likeley be excess and you’ll be responsible for what the insurance doesn’t cover.

Should my condo insurance cover more than just my stuff like appliances, cabinetry, countertops, flooring?

Your condo association purchases insurance on the building and premises. Broadly speaking there are two approaches condo bylaws take to insure the property.

One approach is the condo association agrees to cover only the exterior and common areas. You are responsible to insure the interior this can include walls, wall coverings, flooring, furnace, appliances, lighting, plumbing fixtures, kitchen and bath cabinets (basically everything inside your condo). In this scenario you are responsible not only for your personal property but also the entire interior of your condo. As an insurance agent I did not like this approach because it is very difficult to determine how much insurance you should have to be able to repair or replace everything in within the walls of your condo.

The other approach, which I always preferred, was more comprehensive where the association agrees to cover the entire unit as it was originally built. In this scenario you only insure your upgrades (i.e. bookcases, upgrades, finished basements. etc.) and your personal property.

You need to carefully review your condo bylaws or have a good insurance agent go over the bylaws with you. If you don’t insure the property that you are responsible for you could find yourself woefully under insured and perhaps unable to rebuild your condo.

In addition to insuring the part of the building you are responsible for you need to determine the replacement cost of your personal property within the condo.

Sorry for the long answer but it is a surprisingly complex question.

About how much would property insurance be on a new condo?

I am looking to buy a brand new condo in Jacksonville, Florida for about $138,900. How much would my property insurance be? I know a lot of factors determine the price, but a rough estimate would be nice. Also if anyone knows how to calculate this, that would be greatly appreciated. Thank You

The property insurance (OUTSIDE) for a condo is covered in your Home Owners Association. If you want to get insurance to cover your personal property (inside) you get insurance for your belongings which would be very inexpensive, maybe $2-300 per year. It’s the equivalent of renters insurance.

Know anything about condo insurance?

My wife and I have been condo owners for two years and have had homeowners insurance the whole time. Our expiration period is coming up soon and need to renew, but we’re not sure what coverage we have to have versus what our condo board already provides. Can anyone help?

Yes I could ask the board, but then how would you earn Answers! points?

Your condo association purchases insurance on the building and premises. Broadly speaking there are two approaches condo bylaws take to insure the property.

One approach is the condo association agrees to cover only the exterior and common areas. You are responsible to insure the interior this can include walls, wall coverings, flooring, furnace, appliances, lighting, plumbing fixtures, kitchen and bath cabinets (basically everything inside your condo). In this scenario you are responsible not only for your personal property but also the entire interior of your condo. As an insurance agent I did not like this approach because it is very difficult to determine how much insurance you should have to be able to repair or replace everything in within the walls of your condo.

The other approach, which I always preferred, was more comprehensive where the association agrees to cover the entire unit as it was originally built. In this scenario you only insure your upgrades (i.e. bookcases, upgrades, finished basements. etc.) and your personal property.

You need to carefully review your condo bylaws or have a good insurance agent go over the bylaws with you. If you don’t insure the property that you are responsible for you could find yourself woefully under insured and perhaps unable to rebuild your condo.

In addition to insuring the part of the building you are responsible for you need to determine the replacement cost of your personal property within the condo.

Sorry for the long answer but it is a surprisingly complex question.

How much home insurance & tax for a cheap studio?

I know 0 about this: are home insurance rates annual or monthly? Could someone give me just a very rough idea about how much a cheap studio’s home insurance & tax would cost? (in upstate ny)

I don’t know about New York but about how insurance works I can give you the 411.
Alright, based on the rates set by the Insurance Commission of your state the price will be set.
Here in NC, a home for, let’s say $150,000 in coverage (coverage is the replacement of the home, your personal property, any other structures, liability, and med pay). If you are buying a studio apartment then it will usually cover the personal space, loss of use if ever damaged or destroyed – helps pay for a place to live for a while, personal possessions, liability – helps if you are ever sued for neglegence or detrement of character, and med pay.
Most insurance companies will allow monthly, quarterly, or yearly payments. If you have a mortgage company, most mortgage companies will have a way where your insurance and tax bill can be included into you monthly payment. Here is an example of what a condo policy in my state looks like………..
$250,000 home
Replacement cost $285,000
Replacement of contents $71,250 (this can be negotiable)
Other structures $28,500 (storage buildings/watersheds)
Liability $300,000
Medpay $1000 (incase someone is hurt on your prpty)
Deductible $500 (your part incase of any loss)

Total premium average is around $650 per year

Call around and get some estimates. They will want square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms, entrance, exits, emergency exits, what story it is on, any renovations such as electrical and plumbing within the last 15yrs, how many person that will live in the home, and any pets and what type.
When it comes to tax, look for the website for your local tax office. Your county tax office will usually have a website that may have a tax estimator for the type and purchase price of your studio. If not, they can give you an estimate over the phone. Best to have an idea of how much you are going to purchase the studio for before you do. If you are renting then you will not need any of this unless stated in the contract.
Good luck and sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

When do you stop paying home insurance on a foreclosed home?

Our house was not sold at auction and now reverted to lender? We kept up with the home insurance. When does our obligation end for the home insurance? The realtor we talked to that was assigned to the home said we would be given 14 to 30 days before we had to move out. He would work on the 30 days. Our insurance is due the 25th are we still obligated to pay the insurance past that point or has the lender put their own insurance on the home? Our insurance agent has not returned my call into him.

Since the homeowners insurance is also covering your personal property and personal liability, I would not cancel the policy or stop paying until you physically move out of the home. In other words it is best to continue paying it until you move out. Once you cancel the policy the insurance company will send you a refund for the amount you overpaid. When the insurance agent returns your call, make sure that he or she understands that you are still residing in the home.

I am sorry that you have lost your home and wish you better luck for the future.

How much condo hazard insurance should I carry?

I bought the condo for 95k. The HOA insures from the studs out. My personal property is worth approx 10k. It has 2 bed 2.5 bath, a living & dining room totaling 1024 sq ft with a 512 sq ft basement.

The inside is basic with mostly carpet and vynal, basic countertops, appliances, and shelving.

Please take the time to sit down with a local agent who can calculate the cost to rebuild the interior of your unit based on the square footage and local labor and building supply costs. Most agents have the software available to help you determine this as accurately as possible. In terms of your personal property your calculation should not be based on the current "used" value but the value to "replace" or purchase these items brand new. Your personal items includes your clothing, your furniture, your small appliances, computers, electronics & media (games, cds, dvds, software,etc), dishes, pots & pans. As a rule of thumb if you tend to buy your personal property at Wal-mart or K-Mart a 2 bedroom unit contains between $25,000 to $40,000 in personal property. Also purchase the replacement cost coverage option on the personal property and on coverage A–the building coverage. You need to make sure that this figure is as accurate as possible. If you are underinsured at the time of a loss, you will be penalized by the same percentage that you are underinsured. Also make sure to include ordinance and law coverage, loss assessment coverage and sewer/water back up coverages. In addition I would have a minimum of $500,000 personal liability coverage and $5,000 medical payments coverage. To save money, please consider the following–have whoever writes your auto insurance quote this for you so that you can possibly get a multi-policy discount, take a deductible of at least $500 or $1,000, consider putting an alarm, fire extinguisher, etc.

Personal Condo Insurance in Florida-what do I need?

Hi. We have purchased a condo in florida, north miami & now trying to figure out what type of coverage we will need for our condo. I think there is personal property & liability-is that the minimum required? Where should we start?

You probably know that your condo association purchases insurance on the building and premises. Broadly speaking there are two approaches that condo bylaws take to insure the property.

One approach is the condo association agrees to cover only the exterior and common areas. You are responsible to insure the interior this can include walls, wall coverings, flooring, furnace, appliances, lighting, plumbing fixtures, kitchen and bath cabinets (basically everything inside your condo). In this scenario you are responsible not only for your personal property but also the entire interior of your condo. As an insurance agent I did not like this approach because it is very difficult to determine how much insurance you should have to be able to repair or replace everything in within the walls of your condo.

The other approach, which I always preferred, was more comprehensive where the association agrees to cover the entire unit as it was originally built. In this scenario you only insure your upgrades (i.e. bookcases, upgrades, finished basements. etc.) and your personal property.

You need to carefully review your condo bylaws or have a good insurance agent go over the bylaws with you. If you don’t insure the property that you are responsible for you could find yourself woefully under insured and perhaps unable to rebuild your condo.

In addition to insuring the part of the building you are responsible for you need to determine the replacement cost of your personal property within the condo.

Sorry for the long answer but it is a surprisingly complex question.