Interesting Tidbits

Your homeowner’s policy does not cover damage from floods or earthquakes. You can purchase coverage for both of these perils upon your request.

Every homeowner should have “sewer and sump pump back-up” coverage. Adding $5,000 of coverage costs only $35 to $50 extra per year. Higher limits may be available. Contact us if this optional coverage is desired.

Many people have opted to install metal roofs instead of conventional asphalt shingles. Please note that most insurance companies do not provide coverage for cosmetic damage to metal roofs. For example, if hail dents your metal roof, but the metal is not broken or does not leak water, your insurance company will not pay you for the cosmetic damage to your roof. There is no buy-back provision for this exclusion at this time.

If you build a garage, shed or any other structure anywhere on your premises, call us to verify and activate coverage.

If you leave your home, cottage or cabin for an extended period of time, please shut off your main water supply or the breaker for the well pump. Water pipes easily freeze and break if your heat supply is cut off and can do significant damage while you are gone.

Insist that both your home and its contents have replacement cost coverage. Call us if you have any doubt about whether your policy provides these coverages.

Homeowner’s policies provide personal liability coverage, which covers you and your family members from claims for bodily injury and property damage, including but not limited to, slips and falls, dog and other animal bites, hunting accidents, food poisonings and injuries caused by family members involved in recreational activities. It is inexpensive to raise the limit of coverage on your policy. Call our office to increase your limit.

Recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles, boats, ATVs and UTVs are not considered “contents” or “personal property” and are not automatically covered by your policy, even when stored in a building. You must call your agent to activate both property and liability coverage for recreational vehicles.

If you have a business on your premises, you need to call us. Homeowner’s policies do not automatically cover business exposures from either a property or liability perspective. If you raise animals, grow crops, store a business vehicle on your premises or operate any other business on the premises, you need to call us to activate liability coverages and property coverage for the buildings and contents affected.

All homeowner’s policies have limitations for theft of guns, jewelry, furs and fine arts. Please call us to discuss your exposure.

Jewelry that is misplaced or that loses a stone is not covered unless you called us prior to the loss and schedule the item to your policy.

Your policy provides virtually no coverage for coins, money, gold, silver, or other precious metals. We encourage you to rent a safety deposit box or buy a fireproof safe to help protect these items.

Keep your building roofs free from snow and ice in winter. Roof collapses and ice dams can cause considerable damage to your home, garage and contents. Ice dams are an indication of poor insulation and heat loss. Invest in good insulation, adequate heat, soffits and a snow rake.

If you wish to burn wood, please do it properly. Have a professional contractor install a UL-approved wood burning unit. Be sure to have a state of art chimney. Do not vent any other heating devices to the same chimney. Install a clay tile liner in all masonry chimneys. Burn only well-seasoned (dried for at least two years) hardwood. Store ashes in a metal container with a metal lid. Do not install wood burners in attached garages. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended clearance distances from walls and other combustibles. Clean your chimney regularly.

Call our office when you have questions or concerns. Call us when you buy recreational vehicles. Call us before you install a wood burning appliance. Call us when you finish off your basement or add an addition to your house or garage. Call us whenever you update your electrical system or you reroof your house – discounts may be available for doing so.